BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE– Deputy Prime Minister Senator Thulisile Dladla and the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, have praised The Luke Commission (TLC) for securing ISO 15189:2022 accreditation, describing the milestone as a groundbreaking achievement for a comprehensive, hospital-based laboratory in Eswatini.
Speaking during the Medical Laboratory Accreditation Handover Ceremony, Dladla reportedly hailed TLC as “a movement built on compassion and relentless hard work.” She told attendees that the accreditation marked a new era in the country’s healthcare standards and demonstrated Eswatini’s growing leadership in the delivery of world-class medical services.
The Deputy Prime Minister was said to have thanked the organisation for its humanity and its dedication to vulnerable communities. She emphasised that the accreditation ensured that the laboratory results relied upon by doctors—often in life-and-death situations—were now recognised globally for their reliability. According to her, this offered “trust and dignity to every patient.”
Dladla also highlighted the impact of the Luvelo Digital Health Platform, an innovation developed by TLC which recently received international recognition in London. She noted that the platform was enabling healthcare access for even the most remote communities in the country, demonstrating that local technological advances could have global influence.
The DPM further commended the partnership between government and TLC, describing the organisation as an example of compassionate and dignified care. She stated that TLC treated the nation’s most vulnerable citizens “like VIPs,” an approach she believed strengthened public trust in Eswatini’s healthcare system.
Minister Khumalo also delivered strong praise for TLC’s achievement, calling it “a national victory for Eswatini.” He explained that the accreditation represented competence, accuracy and reliability, qualities he described as the pillars of quality healthcare. The Minister also recognised Managing Executive Director Echo VanderWal and her team for what he referred to as their unwavering commitment to excellence.
Khumalo announced that TLC’s laboratory had now become the fifth medical laboratory—and the sixteenth overall—in Eswatini to attain such accreditation. He said this accomplishment bolstered national competitiveness, improved efficiency and enhanced public trust in local healthcare systems.
The Minister further applauded the recognition of the Luvelo platform by the Financial Times and the World Bank Group, saying it was clear evidence that Eswatini’s innovation was capable of competing on the global stage. He remarked that the world was watching Eswatini’s advancements and that the country was “ready to show what we can achieve together.”
The ceremony also reflected on the dedication and leadership behind TLC’s success. Speakers noted that the achievements were a testament to the organisation’s commitment to high-quality healthcare and to its positive impact on thousands of patients across the country. TLC’s founders were thanked for their vision and leadership, with acknowledgements that strong leadership made it possible for the institution to reach new heights.
The event concluded with well-wishes for TLC’s continued growth, with hopes expressed that the organisation would keep opening new doors to ensure that every Liswati had access to quality healthcare.
(Courtesy Pic)
