- Government Highlights Major Environmental and Public Health Milestone
BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA) National Executive Director (NED) Dr Nondumiso Ncube represented Mduduzi Matsebula during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, Switzerland.
The meeting was held under the theme:
“Transforming Healthcare Waste Management Sustainability in Africa.”
During the session, Dr Ncube delivered a presentation on Eswatini’s recently launched National Healthcare Waste Management Centre located in Matsapha.
The facility was established with financial support from Global Fund.
Eswatini Previously Relied On South Africa
Speaking on behalf of the Health Minister, Ncube said the facility marks a major step forward for Eswatini’s healthcare and environmental management systems.
“This investment reflects our collective commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring the well-being of the Swazi people,” she said.
According to Ncube, Eswatini previously faced major challenges involving:
- Collection of expired healthcare products
- Transportation of medical waste
- Disposal and treatment of hazardous healthcare materials
The country had reportedly relied heavily on neighbouring South Africa for disposal services at extremely high costs.
Ncube explained that the new centralised healthcare waste facility now enables Eswatini to:
- Dispose of expired healthcare products locally
- Reduce operational costs
- Improve environmental protection
- Strengthen healthcare safety systems
Advanced High-Temperature Incinerator Installed
To support the project, the Global Fund engaged international engineering and consultancy firm Mott MacDonald as technical advisors.
Ncube said the company assisted with:
- Development of sustainable waste treatment solutions
- Clearing backlogs of expired healthcare products
- Long-term healthcare waste planning
At the centre of the facility is the:
- Makrotech V500 high-temperature incinerator
The specialised unit reportedly includes:
- Primary combustion chambers
- Secondary combustion chambers
- Operating temperatures reaching up to 1,100 degrees Celsius
Officials say the advanced technology strengthens Eswatini’s ability to safely destroy hazardous healthcare waste while minimising environmental risks.
Government Praises Partnership With Global Fund
Ncube described the partnership between Government and the Global Fund as an important example of successful collaboration between national institutions and international development partners.
“The partnership with the Global Fund is a shining example of effective collaboration between government institutions and development partners, and Eswatini will forever remain grateful,” she said.
She added that the Healthcare Waste Management Plant symbolises:
- Environmental protection
- Public health safety
- Community wellbeing
- National progress in healthcare infrastructure
“The Healthcare Waste Management Plant represents the beginning of a new chapter in Eswatini. It is a symbol of our shared determination to protect our environment, safeguard communities and uphold the dignity and health of every Emaswati,” she said on behalf of the minister.
Focus On Sustainable Healthcare Systems
The discussions at WHA79 continue focusing on:
- Public health resilience
- Sustainable healthcare systems
- Climate and environmental health
- Healthcare financing
- Cross-border health cooperation
Eswatini’s presentation highlighted the growing importance of sustainable healthcare waste management across Africa as countries seek safer and more environmentally responsible healthcare systems.
