By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Minister of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, alongside senior officials from the Ministry’s Senior Management Team, recently met with a delegation of healthcare industry representatives from the Republic of Belarus.
The purpose of this high-level meeting was to set the stage for establishing mutually beneficial bilateral relations between Eswatini and Belarus in the healthcare sector.
This diplomatic engagement follows earlier discussions initiated during Prime Minister Russell Dlamini’s recent visit to Belarus, where preliminary talks laid the groundwork for potential cooperation.
During the meeting, Matsebula conveyed that His Majesty King Mswati III, along with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, had tasked the Ministry of Health with leading these discussions.
The aim was to explore and establish a framework for a strategic partnership with Belarus that could significantly enhance Eswatini’s healthcare capabilities.
The Minister also emphasized that the government’s commitment to improving the nation’s healthcare system was at the forefront of these discussions.
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Matsebula highlighted several key focus areas that the discussions would address. These included the supply of medical drugs, the establishment of a pharmaceutical manufacturing industry within Eswatini, the construction of a new hospital, the training and capacity building of local health experts, and the exchange of expertise between the two nations.
Each of these areas were said to represent a critical component in the government’s bigger strategy to improve healthcare delivery and access across Eswatini.
In response, Dzmitry Serhamasau, the leader of the Belarusian delegation and a representative of the Utano Group FZE, expressed his team’s eagerness to engage in fruitful discussions with the Ministry of Health.
Serhamasau assured that Belarus is ready to collaborate with Eswatini on the focus areas outlined by Minister Mduduzi Matsebula.
He emphasized that Belarus has a wealth of experienced healthcare professionals and doctors who are prepared to share their expertise with their Eswatini counterparts.
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“We are ready to discuss and come up with agreements in relation to the focus areas that the Minister has highlighted and look forward to working with Eswatini.
We have experienced health professionals and doctors who will share valuable expertise with your experts,” Serhamasau said.
“We will be looking forward to bringing them here to share knowledge, train other doctors, and also work in the country’s health sector.
We are also looking to establish an exchange program that will see local experts come to Belarus for training and working so that they expand their knowledge.”
