BY NOXOLO DLAMINI
PIGG’S PEAK – The Ministry of Health is expanding access to advanced diagnostic services in the public health sector through the procurement of an additional CT scanner for Manzini Government Hospital and efforts to increase the number of Emaswati trained in ultrasonography.
Minister of Health Honourable Mduduzi Matsebula said these interventions form part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen diagnostic services and make specialised healthcare available closer to patients.
Matsebula said an additional CT scanner had been procured for the public sector and deployed at Manzini Government Hospital, increasing the country’s capacity to provide advanced imaging services within the public health system.
He also highlighted the need to develop more local expertise in ultrasonography. According to the Minister, the public health sector currently has seven ultrasonographers, making the training and development of more Emaswati in the field an important part of strengthening diagnostic services.
The Minister made the remarks during the handover of a portable ultrasound machine donated by Lomati Mine to Piggs Peak Government Hospital on Friday, 18 September 2026.
The donation comes as the Ministry works to expand ultrasound scanning services beyond referral hospitals to regional hospitals and health centres.
Matsebula said the Ministry’s efforts also include modernising X-ray equipment by moving from analogue to digital technology and decentralising modern machines to regional hospitals and health centres.
The expansion of diagnostic services is aimed at improving patients’ access to timely examinations by bringing equipment and specialised services closer to communities.
At Piggs Peak Government Hospital, the new ultrasound machine is expected to address a longstanding gap. Senior Medical Officer Sukoluhle Simelane said the hospital had gone for years without an ultrasound machine, forcing patients to travel to Mbabane or use private facilities when they required ultrasound examinations.
The developments demonstrate the Ministry’s approach of combining equipment expansion, decentralisation and human-resource development to strengthen diagnostic services in the public health sector.
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