By Xolani Motsa
MBABANE – Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula and Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Eswatini Jeremy Liang have commissioned three operating theatres at Mbabane Government Hospital (MGH).
The event took place today (Thursday, August 22, 2024) at Mbabane Government Hospital. The theatres situated at the ground floor of the MGH’s Referral and Emergency Complex (new wing) had not been operationalised since its official opening by His Majesty King Mswati III in 2021.
Minister Matsebula was visibly happy and he expressed his elation during the function. He said his happiness was based on the knowledge of how much work needed to be done to ensure that these theatres functioned properly. “I am aware that this whole facility was officially opened by His Majesty King Mswati III on 15th October 2021 and since then, this facility has come a long way to enable it to function fully,” Matsebula said.
According to the Minister, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact in delaying the full functioning of the complex and its theatres, because this unit had to be utilised as the Out-patient Department, while the MGH OPD was at that time repurposed to become a COVID-19 isolation unit.
He thanked the hospital management team for putting all efforts to ensure the facility began offering services such as emergency care and providing specialised services within the other floors.
The project commenced in 2016 and was completed after 5 years of diligent work. This facility was constructed in 2017 and completed in 2021 through support of Taiwan Government. According to Minister Matsebula, the vision of his Ministry is to reduce patients from being transferred to other countries to get specialised treatment. He saw this development as one of the ways to make this dream a reality.
The three theatres will provide the much-needed space, according to Matsebula. There are a number of external experts, especially from Taiwan, who are in the country to help out in providing the much-needed health services to Emaswati.
Speaking during the event, Ambassador Liang expressed his gratitude on how pleased he is to be here today at Mbabane Government Hospital to open the doors of the three new operating theatres at the Referral and Emergency at the Complex. He thanked all the hospital management team for putting all efforts to ensure the facility begins offering services such as emergency care and providing specialised services within the other floors.
