BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
EZULWINI – The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding youth friendly sexual and reproductive health services as a foundation for unlocking Eswatini’s demographic dividend.
The commitment was announced on 30 January 2026 at the ECSA Regional Youth Summit at Happy Valley Hotel.
Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula said investing in youth health is both a moral obligation and a development strategy. “When adolescents and young people have access to accurate information and quality sexual and reproductive health services, they are more likely to stay in school, avoid unintended pregnancies and plan their futures,” he said.
The Minister said Eswatini continues to strengthen youth friendly services in both urban and rural areas while working with communities, schools, and civil society to address harmful norms that affect young people’s wellbeing.
WHO AFRO Representative Dr Susan Tembo supported this approach, stressing that adolescent health investment is central to national development. “Adolescent health is not only a health issue, it is a foundation for education, skills development and economic productivity,” she said.
Dr Tembo highlighted WHO’s support to countries through the Adolescent Health Flagship Programme, the AA HA guidance, and improved measurement frameworks aimed at strengthening accountability and service quality.
Minister Matsebula emphasised that the Ministry of Health cannot deliver alone. He called for a whole of government and whole of society approach involving the education sector, youth institutions, development partners, and young people themselves as partners in design and monitoring.
Both speakers agreed that deliberate, data driven investments in youth health are critical to building human capital and ensuring that demographic change translates into long term national prosperity.
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