By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Taiwan government has once again demonstrated its vast support to strengthening public health in Eswatini, focusing on the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
This year saw the formal launch of a collaborative project between Eswatini and Taiwan, titled the “Project for Strengthening Metabolic Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Systems.”
The project, which leverages Taiwan’s extensive experience in chronic disease management, sets to strengthen Eswatini’s healthcare infrastructure to better address diabetes and hypertension.
Speaking at the World Diabetes Day 2024 health campaign held in Manzini, Minister Tsuei Ching-lin from the Taiwan Embassy highlighted the significant strides made through this partnership.
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He revealed that, so far, the project has enhanced care in 30 health facilities across Eswatini.
This includes equipping these centres with screening devices and medical consumables, as well as training healthcare professionals to deliver more effective care.
Additionally, over 7,500 individuals have benefited from community health screenings aimed at early detection of diabetes and hypertension.
Ching-lin emphasized the importance of tackling chronic diseases, which have become a leading cause of death globally, shifting the burden away from infectious diseases.
He noted that Eswatini, like many other nations, faces a growing public health challenge as chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases become more prevalent, partly due to changing weather patterns and lifestyle factors.
The project’s focus on decentralizing healthcare services aligns with Eswatini’s national strategy to improve access to essential health services, particularly for those living in remote areas.
“As a dedicated partner, we chose World Diabetes Day to reinforce our collaboration with the Eswatini Ministry of Health and the Clinton Health Access Initiative,” Ching-lin said.
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He stressed that this year’s health campaign, themed “Empowering Global Health,” goes beyond chronic diseases to encompass a broad spectrum of health concerns.
The event featured discussions on critical health topics such as cancer, HIV/TB, maternal and child health, and nutrition, aimed at raising public awareness and encouraging citizens to take proactive steps in managing their health.
The Minister expressed his gratitude to the various organizations that contributed to the success of the campaign.
He voiced optimism for the future, envisioning a time when every citizen in Eswatini can enjoy a healthy, productive life regardless of their background or location.
“The Taiwan government remains committed to supporting Eswatini’s Ministry of Health in enhancing the accessibility and quality of healthcare services, particularly in chronic disease prevention and control,” he concluded.
