By Mbongeni Ndlela
MBABANE – Who is fooling who?
That is the question every concerned liSwati must ask in the face of the growing uproar around alleged drug shortages at Mbabane Government Hospital. Is this a genuine health emergency or a case of exaggerated claims and veiled sabotage intended to destabilize confidence in government service delivery?
As Managing Editor of Eswatini Positive News, an outlet dedicated to reporting truthfully and constructively, I have taken time to examine the facts, follow official responses, and interrogate the underlying issues. What emerges is not a denial of gaps, but rather a fuller picture that demands thoughtful national dialogue, not fear.
The Claims vs. The Facts
In recent weeks, reports have gone viral alleging that shelves at the nation’s largest referral hospital are completely empty. Members of the public have expressed outrage. Parliament has responded with urgency, giving Cabinet a 14-day ultimatum to provide a comprehensive report on the matter.
Yet, the Ministry of Health has now released compelling evidence that not only counters some of the alarmist claims but also exposes what appears to be a dangerous pattern of misinformation. A detailed list of medical and laboratory commodities issued to Mbabane Government Hospital from April to June 2025 shows over 100 essential supplies, ranging from antibiotics and reagents to test kits and safety equipment, delivered and accounted for.
Items like Ampicillin, Nalidixic Acid, Clindamycin, GeneXpert TB kits, Determine HIV test kits, and various lab consumables have all been dispatched through the Central Medical Stores (CMS). The record is not guesswork; it is verifiable data released by the Ministry in response to public concern.
A ministry on the move
In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of Health asked a simple but powerful question:
“No medication and medical supplies? Shelves running dry?”
It continued:
“It is more true that much has been provided to ensure services continue, as the Ministry works round the clock to close existing gaps.”
This is not a blind defence, it is a commitment to transparency. The Ministry has acknowledged that not all essential medicines are available in all public facilities, a reality facing many nations today due to global supply chain disruptions. But to suggest that nothing is available, especially at a hospital as crucial as Mbabane Government Hospital, is not only misleading, it’s dangerous.
Parliament’s role, and the King’s voice
The reaction from Parliament has been swift and appropriate. Lawmakers have exercised their constitutional duty to demand answers, and the 14-day ultimatum to Cabinet must be respected. The people deserve clarity, and Parliament is rightly serving as the voice of the public.
But the national conscience must also reflect on the words of His Majesty King Mswati III, who earlier this year issued a clear and powerful directive during the opening of Parliament:
“Let there be no excuse for failing our people when it comes to access to life-saving medication.”
The King’s message was not just symbolic. It was a national call to action, for the executive to deliver, for Parliament to hold it accountable, and for citizens to engage constructively in national development. That responsibility includes guarding against misinformation that could sabotage the very systems trying to improve our lives.
Sabotage cannot be ignored
What concerns me deeply, as both a journalist and a patriot, is the pattern of misinformation designed to incite outrage before the facts are even verified. The Ministry has stated that in some cases, delivered stock had not been unpacked or updated into internal records, leading to public panic.
Worse still, there are growing suspicions of intentional sabotage, where individuals, possibly within or outside the system, are misrepresenting supply levels to stir chaos. If true, such actions are not just unethical; they are a betrayal of public trust.
A call for constructive patriotism
This analysis is not a denial of the challenges in our health system. They are real. But it is also true that significant work is being done to address them. The Ministry is responding, Parliament is watching, CMS is delivering, and medical personnel are showing extraordinary resilience in the face of immense pressure.
The call now is for constructive patriotism. We must challenge government, yes. But we must also support progress, acknowledge efforts, and condemn misinformation.
Eswatini belongs to all of us. If we undermine the institutions trying to serve us with lies and exaggeration, we all suffer. Let us choose facts over fear. Let us demand reform, not ruin.
In conclusion:
The situation at Mbabane Government Hospital reflects a national health system under strain, but not one in collapse. Let the Ministry finish its work. Let Parliament ask the hard questions. Let journalists like us report the truth. And let all emaSwati rise above division and defend the progress we are making, together.
