BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Nurses in Eswatini will soon be legally required to register under a new law aimed at strengthening the profession and ensuring quality healthcare delivery across the country.
The Ministry of Health is spearheading the enactment of the Eswatini Nursing Council Bill of 2025, which will formalise the registration of nurses and regulate the nursing profession in line with international standards.
Currently, Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Ministry of Health Portfolio Committee, led by Somntongo MP Sandile Nxumalo, are attending a sensitisation session at Royal Villas, Ezulwini. The discussions, which began on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, are set to conclude on Friday, August 8, 2025.
Also present are senior parliamentary leaders, including Speaker of the House of Assembly Jabulani Mabuza and Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga, along with other MPs outside the Health Portfolio Committee. The Ministry of Health delegation is led by Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula.
Explaining the significance of the Bill, Director of Health Services Dr Velephi Okello said the legislation would ensure that every practising nurse in Eswatini is officially registered. This process will help create an accurate database of nurses, detailing their qualifications and the institutions where they trained.
Okello emphasised that registration will not only enhance the credibility of the profession but also strengthen disciplinary oversight. “It will be easier to ensure discipline within the profession, according to international standards on nursing,” she said.
She noted that Eswatini’s nursing profession has grown significantly over the years, with local nurses often recruited quickly in other countries due to their strong reputation. This, she said, makes it critical to have legislation that safeguards and advances these standards.
The Bill will also regulate nursing institutions, ensuring they are properly accredited and capable of producing competent graduates. “We want to make sure that our nursing schools are registered with the relevant bodies, so that they produce the right nurses who can deliver quality healthcare to the nation,” Okello added.
If passed, the Eswatini Nursing Council Bill of 2025 will mark a significant milestone in the country’s healthcare system, ensuring professionalism, accountability, and high standards in nursing for generations to come.
What the Nursing Council Bill Means for Eswatini
- Mandatory Registration
All practising nurses will need to be registered with the Eswatini Nursing Council. - Stronger Oversight
Easier monitoring of qualifications, training background, and adherence to professional ethics. - Higher Standards
Regulation of nursing schools to ensure they produce qualified, competent nurses. - International Alignment
Bringing Eswatini’s nursing standards in line with global best practices. - Public Confidence
Patients will be assured that their healthcare providers meet strict professional requirements.
(Courtesy Pics)
