- Minister Highlights Pandemic Preparedness, NCD Fight and Taiwan Support
BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula has delivered a strong national statement during the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79), praising the World Health Organization (WHO) for supporting Eswatini and other member states in strengthening preparedness against pandemics and public health emergencies.
The minister addressed delegates during the ongoing assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, where global health leaders are discussing major international healthcare challenges and future cooperation.
WHO Commended For Pandemic Preparedness Support
During his address, Minister Matsebula thanked the WHO for assisting countries in improving:
- Emergency preparedness systems
- Pandemic response mechanisms
- Public health coordination
- Disease surveillance systems
The minister said recent global health crises had demonstrated the importance of international cooperation and resilient healthcare systems.
Eswatini has continued strengthening its public health response structures following lessons learned during:
- The COVID-19 pandemic
- Regional disease outbreaks
- Cross-border public health emergencies
Eswatini Using Primary Healthcare To Fight NCDs
Matsebula also highlighted Eswatini’s efforts to combat:
- Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
through strengthened primary healthcare systems.
NCDs include conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular diseases
The minister emphasised that primary healthcare remains critical in:
- Prevention
- Early diagnosis
- Community healthcare delivery
- Long-term disease management
Health officials globally continue warning that NCDs are becoming one of the leading public health challenges worldwide, particularly in developing countries.
Eswatini Reiterates Support for Taiwan Participation
During the statement, Eswatini also reiterated its support for the inclusion of Taiwan in the World Health Assembly.
Taiwan continues to seek greater participation in global health discussions despite not being formally recognised as a WHO member state due to complex international diplomatic issues involving China.
Eswatini remains one of Taiwan’s few remaining diplomatic allies in Africa under the long-standing “TaiwaTini” partnership.
Supporters of Taiwan’s participation argue that:
- Global health cooperation should remain inclusive
- Disease outbreaks do not recognise political boundaries
- Taiwan possesses valuable healthcare expertise and experience
WHA79 Focused On Global Health Challenges
The 79th World Health Assembly has brought together ministers, health experts and international organisations to discuss:
- Pandemic preparedness
- Universal healthcare
- Health financing
- Climate and health
- Disease prevention
- Healthcare equity
African countries attending the assembly continue advocating for:
- Stronger healthcare financing
- Health sovereignty
- Expanded primary healthcare
- Greater global solidarity
Eswatini says it remains committed to strengthening healthcare systems while working closely with international partners to improve public health outcomes.
