… Phocweni Military Clinic recorded the highest number of patient visits
BY THEMBA ZWANE
PHOCWENI- A total of 28 177 patients sought medical treatment at Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) health facilities during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, highlighting the growing role of military health institutions in providing healthcare services to both soldiers and the general public.
This is according to the Ministry of Defence and National Security First Quarter Performance Report for 2026/27, which outlines the performance of the UEDF Medical Department between April and June 2026.
The report states that the Military Health Services continued to provide healthcare services to soldiers, their family members and members of the public through its network of health facilities across the country.
Of the 28 177 patients attended to during the reporting period, females accounted for the majority at 54 per cent (15 245), while males made up 46 per cent (12 932).
According to the report, Phocweni Military Clinic recorded the highest number of patient visits among all UEDF health facilities.
The report further shows that upper respiratory tract infections remained the most common medical condition treated during the quarter. Out of 8 291 diagnoses recorded, 64 per cent (5 320) were related to upper respiratory diseases. Diarrhoeal diseases were the second most common diagnosis at 12 per cent (966 cases), followed by musculoskeletal conditions at five per cent (433 cases).
The ministry noted that military health facilities continued to provide a wide range of services, including outpatient care, HIV testing and treatment, tuberculosis management, laboratory services, radiology, psychology, dermatology, pharmacy services and the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
In the area of HIV services, a total of 1 434 clients underwent HIV testing during the quarter. Of these, 38 people tested positive and 36 were successfully initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART), representing a linkage rate of 95 per cent. The report also states that 129 HIV-negative clients were enrolled on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
The UEDF health facilities continued to perform strongly in HIV treatment management, with 4 276 clients receiving ART by the end of June. Of those eligible for viral load testing, 95 per cent were tested, while 97 per cent of those tested achieved viral suppression, indicating effective treatment outcomes.
Tuberculosis services also remained active across military health facilities. The report notes that 18 407 clients were screened for TB, with 33 patients diagnosed and initiated on treatment. Most of the TB cases were identified at Phocweni Military Clinic, while nearly three-quarters of diagnosed TB patients were also living with HIV.
The report further reveals that 332 patients were diagnosed with non-communicable diseases during the quarter. Hypertension was the leading NCD, accounting for 47 per cent (155 cases), followed by asthma at 39 per cent (129 cases).
Meanwhile, 510 women were screened for cervical cancer, with 28 testing positive for precancerous lesions. Of those who tested positive, 18 received treatment during the reporting period.
The ministry highlighted several achievements recorded by the UEDF Medical Department during the quarter, including the successful conduct of military medics’ data review meetings, quality management audits that achieved excellent results at Phocweni Clinic, and the acquisition of two vehicles through support from URC/PEPFAR to strengthen outreach services, sample transportation and medical waste collection.
Despite the positive performance, the report identifies staff shortages, particularly among nurses, as a major challenge affecting service delivery. The ministry noted that some facilities remain heavily reliant on volunteers and that the Phocweni TB Unit currently has no allocated military nurses due to shortages within the health system.
The figures underscore the increasing demand for healthcare services at UEDF facilities and their contribution to Eswatini’s broader healthcare system beyond serving military personnel alone.
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(Courtesy Pic)
