BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Minister of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to ensure that the 2025/26 budgetary allocations for the Ministry of Health are utilised effectively and for their intended purposes.
Speaking during the 2025/26 Budget Speech debate on February 18, 2025, Minister Matsebula emphasised his Ministry’s commitment to improving Eswatini’s healthcare system so that every Liswati can access quality medical services. While recognising the numerous challenges facing the healthcare sector, he urged MPs to collaborate with the Ministry to address persistent issues and eliminate inefficiencies.
Acknowledging Healthcare Challenges
Minister Matsebula admitted that the health sector in Eswatini faces significant challenges, which cannot all be resolved simultaneously. However, he expressed optimism that these challenges could be tackled gradually with collaborative efforts between MPs and the Ministry.
He further acknowledged the importance of strengthening financial management controls within the Ministry to ensure that every Lilangeni allocated to healthcare contributes to delivering quality services. “It is also important for us to look into the growth of the resource envelope, so that we can address the problem of the ever-growing needs compared with the income, that hardly grows,” Matsebula remarked.
Proposed Austerity Measures
In response to frozen international funding for health initiatives, the Minister proposed the implementation of austerity measures to maximize the impact of the country’s limited resources. He argued that such measures would enable the Ministry to achieve more with the available budget while continuing to address the pressing healthcare needs of the country.
2025/26 Budget Allocation and Priorities
The Ministry of Health has been allocated E3.1 billion for the fiscal year 2025/26. Among the key priorities for this allocation is the transformation of the Central Medical Stores (CMS) into a parastatal. This transformation aims to ensure a consistent and efficient supply of medication to all public health facilities across the country. By enhancing the CMS structure, the Ministry hopes to address the long-standing issue of medication shortages, ensuring that citizens can access the medical supplies they need without delays.
A Call for Collaboration
Minister Matsebula emphasised the need for MPs to work hand-in-hand with his Ministry to achieve these goals. He believes that through collaboration and proper financial management, Eswatini’s healthcare system can overcome its current challenges and meet the needs of its citizens. As the country moves forward, the Minister remains hopeful that the E3.1 billion allocation will be a step toward transforming healthcare in Eswatini, ensuring that the health and well-being of every Liswati are prioritised.