By Thokozani Mazibuko
In a move expected to relieve the elderly and vulnerable members of society, the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, is set to table an E20 million bailout for The Luke Commission in the first sitting of Parliament this week.
The bailout, which the Finance Committee has already approved, is included in the Supplementary Budget and is expected to be presented to the House of Assembly and the House of Senate as they convene for their first sitting since His Majesty King Mswati III officially opened the Second Session of the 12th Parliament last Friday.
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The Luke Commission, which provides critical healthcare services to the elderly and vulnerable, had earlier warned that it would be forced to stop treating these individuals if it did not receive urgent financial assistance from the Government.
The Commission’s threat, which is effective February 15, 2025, has sparked widespread concern and calls for intervention from various stakeholders.
Speaking to the Eswatini Daily News in a recent interview, Minister Rijkenberg confirmed that the bailout was on track to be tabled in Parliament, saying:
“There is E20m that is in the Supplementary Budget that has been approved by the Finance Committee but must still be tabled in the House.”
The Minister’s announcement has been welcomed by civil society organizations and advocacy groups, who have been calling on the Government to prioritize the needs of the elderly and vulnerable.
The bailout is expected to enable The Luke Commission to continue providing essential healthcare services to those who need them most.
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Parliamentarians are set to converge this week for the first sitting of the new session, with a packed agenda that includes the tabling of the Supplementary Budget.
The E20 million bailout for The Luke Commission is expected to be one of the key items on the agenda, and its approval is seen as a critical step in ensuring the continued provision of healthcare services to the elderly and vulnerable.