Eswatini’s health system has recorded measurable progress across several major programmes in the second quarter of 2026/27, despite financial pressure and the loss of donor-funded posts and services.
The findings are contained in the Ministry of Health’s Second Quarter Budget Performance Report for July to September 2026. The report states that more women were screened for cancer, fewer mothers died in facilities, malaria cases fell sharply, and more people were tested and started on treatment for hypertension and diabetes.
The Ministry spent or committed E1.46 billion by 30 September, representing 48.4 per cent of its E3.02 billion annual recurrent allocation and 89 per cent of the E1.64 billion released. The report states that this is broadly in line with the expected half-year pace of 50 per cent.
The figures indicate spending is on track at mid-year, and in several programmes the spending is reflected in services reaching patients.
The report also states that institutional maternal mortality fell to 86.2 per 100 000 live births in the second quarter, down from 104 in the first quarter. Four maternal deaths were recorded in facilities, compared to six in the previous quarter. Perinatal mortality declined to 22.3 per 1 000 total births, down from 29.2 in 2023. The figures point to fewer women dying during childbirth in facilities and fewer babies dying around birth.
Hlathikhulu Government Hospital recorded no maternal deaths in the quarter and cut neonatal mortality by more than half. Mankayane Government Hospital reported no maternal or neonatal deaths, while admissions rose by about 40 per cent. Hlathikhulu recorded an increase of about 75 per cent in admissions compared to the first quarter. In short, this means that hospitals are therefore handling more deliveries while recording fewer deaths.
Maternal ART uptake remained above the 95 per cent global target. The share of gender-based violence survivors accessing post-exposure prophylaxis rose from a baseline of 16 per cent to 91.3 per cent. Folic acid supplementation among pregnant women rose from 63 per cent to 89 per cent. A total of 92 per cent of HIV-exposed infants were tested.
In practice, almost all pregnant women living with HIV are on treatment, almost all exposed babies are tested and almost all survivors who report in time are receiving medicine to prevent HIV infection. Folic acid helps prevent birth defects.
Eswatini also underwent a formal regional assessment of progress towards eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. The assessment covered programme implementation, laboratory capacity, data systems and human rights and will determine readiness for evaluation by the Global Validation Advisory Committee.
