BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
SITEKI– For patients in the Lubombo Region, the completion of a E21 million facelift at Lubombo Referral Hospital brings renewed hope of accessing quality healthcare closer to home.
The major upgrade has transformed the facility into a modern healthcare centre, improving critical infrastructure and strengthening its capacity to provide essential and specialised services to communities across the region.
As the main referral hospital serving the Lubombo Region, the facility plays a crucial role in providing healthcare services to patients from across the region. The completed renovations are expected to further strengthen its ability to respond to the growing demand for quality healthcare.
The extensive renovations were officially handed over to the Ministry of Health on Friday, July 24, 2026, following the completion of a project implemented by Micro Projects Eswatini under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development.
Ubandzi Construction carried out the construction works.
The E21 million project targeted some of the hospital’s most critical infrastructure needs, including the upgrading of the Laboratory and X-ray departments, construction of a new kitchen and replacement of the hospital’s roof.
Inspecting the completed renovations, Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Khanyakwezwe Mabuza described the investment as a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure and improve service delivery.
Mabuza said the investment had elevated Lubombo Referral Hospital into a state-of-the-art facility capable of meeting world-class healthcare standards.
“This hospital is now a state-of-the-art facility that meets world-class standards,” said Mabuza.
He said the upgraded infrastructure would strengthen the hospital’s ability to respond to the growing demand for healthcare services in the Lubombo Region, particularly for patients requiring specialised treatment.
Mabuza said the hospital’s enhanced capacity would also be critical in responding to the increasing number of patients affected by kidney-related diseases.
“The improvements will help expand access to critical care services within the region and ensure that patients can receive the specialised attention they need closer to home,” said Mabuza.
He said the investment would help ease the burden on patients who previously had to travel long distances to access specialised healthcare services.
For healthcare workers, the transformation has brought more than a physical facelift. It has created a more reliable and conducive environment in which essential services can be delivered.
Laboratory Technologist Phumlile Tfwala said the renovations had significantly improved daily operations in the Laboratory Department.
Tfwala said persistent electricity power cuts had previously disrupted laboratory services and made it difficult for staff to carry out their duties efficiently.
She said the improved power supply had brought greater reliability to the department, ensuring that vital laboratory services could continue without unnecessary interruptions.
“Daily operations are now much easier because the persistent electricity power cuts have been resolved. We now have consistent power to support our vital hospital services,” said Tfwala.
The hospital’s diagnostic capacity has also received a major boost with the installation of a brand-new digital X-ray machine.
Senior Radiographer Nobuhle Maphalala said the new equipment had significantly improved diagnostic efficiency and image quality, giving healthcare professionals access to clearer and more precise results.
“The facility now has a brand-new digital X-ray machine, which has significantly enhanced diagnostic efficiency and image precision,” said Maphalala.
The upgraded X-ray department is expected to support faster and more accurate diagnosis, enabling healthcare professionals to make informed decisions and provide appropriate treatment to patients.
At the same time, improvements to the Laboratory Department are expected to strengthen the hospital’s ability to deliver timely and reliable diagnostic services to patients from across the region.
The new kitchen and replacement of the hospital’s roof have further addressed critical infrastructure requirements, contributing to a safer, more functional and conducive environment for patients, healthcare workers and visitors.
The completion of the E21 million project represents a significant investment in Eswatini’s public healthcare infrastructure and comes at a time when the demand for quality and accessible health services continues to grow.
For residents of the Lubombo Region, the refurbished hospital represents more than new infrastructure and modern equipment. It offers renewed hope that patients can receive quality healthcare and critical services closer to their communities, without the added burden of travelling long distances for care.
As the main referral hospital serving the Lubombo Region, the facility is expected to play an even greater role in providing essential and specialised healthcare services to patients from across the region.
The project also underscores the importance of sustained investment in public health facilities to ensure that healthcare workers have the infrastructure, equipment and working environment required to serve patients effectively.
With the renovations now complete, Lubombo Referral Hospital stands ready to deliver more efficient, reliable and quality healthcare services to the people of Lubombo.
The E21 million facelift has transformed the hospital’s infrastructure while strengthening its potential to improve patient care and service delivery.
For patients walking through its doors, the transformation carries a simple but powerful promise: world-class standards, improved diagnostics and quality healthcare closer to home.
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