… Health Minister flags obesity surge
BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula has raised concern over the rapid increase in overweight, obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Eswatini.
The minister has warned that poor nutrition is becoming one of the country’s biggest public health threats.
Speaking during the official opening of the Eswatini Food and Nutrition Policy and Nutrition Bill Validation Workshop at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Mbabane on Wednesday, the minister said while the country continues to battle undernutrition and stunting among children, it is also experiencing a worrying surge in overweight and obesity across all age groups.
He said the increase in obesity has been accompanied by a rise in diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions, placing additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system.
“Our country faces a complex triple burden of malnutrition,” Matsebula said. “On one hand, we continue to combat undernutrition and stunting, particularly among our young children, which quietly robs them of their physical and cognitive potential. On the other hand, we are witnessing a rapid rise in overweight, obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases across all age groups.”
The minister said the growing burden of malnutrition requires urgent and coordinated action beyond the health sector. He noted that nutrition is closely linked to agriculture, education, social protection and economic development, making it a national development issue rather than solely a health concern.
He said food and nutrition are fundamental to human dignity, economic prosperity and sustainable development, adding that a healthy and well-nourished population is essential if Eswatini is to achieve its long-term development aspirations.
Matsebula said the country had made commendable progress over the past decade in strengthening healthcare delivery and improving social protection systems. However, he stressed that new challenges, including climate change, economic pressures and disruptions to global food supply chains, continue to expose weaknesses within national food systems.
According to the minister, these challenges have demonstrated the need for an updated national strategy that aligns the priorities of different government sectors to improve food and nutrition security.
He said the revised Eswatini Food and Nutrition Policy has been developed as a comprehensive blueprint to guide the country’s efforts towards ensuring that every Liswati has access to adequate, safe and nutritious food.
The policy places particular emphasis on protecting vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant and lactating mothers, older persons and vulnerable households.
Matsebula urged delegates attending the validation workshop to critically review the draft policy and ensure it is practical, inclusive and capable of addressing the country’s evolving nutrition challenges.
“This validation workshop is not a mere formality,” he said. “It is your platform to scrutinise, refine and strengthen this document so that it reflects the realities of both urban and rural communities.”
He said stakeholders should ensure the policy clearly defines the responsibilities of all sectors, promotes accountability and contains measurable actions that can be effectively implemented and monitored.
The minister further acknowledged the support received from development partners during the policy formulation process.
He thanked the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement for mobilising resources and providing technical support that kept nutrition high on the national agenda. He also expressed gratitude to the European Union for its strategic support throughout the policy review process, as well as World Vision Eswatini for its technical and operational contributions.
Matsebula also recognised the role played by United Nations agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector in ensuring that the policy development process was inclusive and representative.
He encouraged delegates drawn from government ministries, Parliament, development agencies, academia, civil society and the private sector to actively participate in the discussions, saying their contributions would shape the country’s nutrition agenda for years to come.
“The insights you contribute today will directly shape the quality of life for generations of emaSwati,” he said.
The validation workshop provided stakeholders with an opportunity to review and strengthen the revised Eswatini Food and Nutrition Policy and the proposed Nutrition Bill before they are finalised for implementation.
Officially opening the workshop, Matsebula reminded participants that approving the policy would only be the beginning, stressing that its success would ultimately depend on effective implementation in communities across the country.
He called for sustained collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure that every household benefits from improved food and nutrition security and that the country builds a healthier and more resilient population.
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