By Kwanele Dhladhla
Members of Parliament (MPs) have appealed to Prime Minister Russell Dlamini to speed up releasing E30 million in funding to The Luke Commission (TLC) salvage to save the health institution from collapse.
Ngudzeni MP Charles Ndlovu said it was disheartening to note that the E30 million funding directed at TLC had not yet been released yet it was approved by Parliament.
He argued that TLC offers specialised services to members of the public such as treatment of snake bites which were not offered by other health centres in the kingdom.
“We appeal to the PM for the release of funds directed at the TLC since they were also approved by Parliament. As a country, we cannot allow for TLC’s collapse.
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Where will the elderly from rural areas and people with snakebites be assisted because there are no such facilities at the public health centres especially at night,” wondered Ndlovu during the 2025/2026 financial year budget debate by the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee for Private and Cabinet Office.
Sigwe MP Cruiser Ngcamphalala concurred with Ndlovu. He called upon the PM to ensure that TLC gets funding with immediate effect for the restoration of full services.
“Let us support TLC, they play a crucial role in the kingdom’s health sector by assisting Emaswati especially those from rural areas,” Ngcamphalala emphasised.
Siphofaneni MP Nomalungelo Simelane also emphasised on the urgent need to issue funding for TLC. She further appealed for the PM’s intervention in the delivery of dialysis medication at the country’s health centres.
“It is not true that all dialysis medication has been delivered at the country’s health facilities. May the PM see into it that the medication gets fully supplied to avert a situation where there could be more deaths as a result of lacking dialysis medication,” Simelane urged.
TLC recently announced a decision to halt several outpatient services for patients aged 50 and older together with most in-patient services.
It was mentioned that this decision came into effect on February 15, 2025.
One of the reasons advanced for pausing the services was the depletion of E30 million in relief funds which had beenissued by the State.
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It should be noted that TLC remains the only health facility which meets First World status in Eswatini and has alwaysbeen flooded with many Emaswati as they were guaranteed to get all their medication, unlike the other public health facilities.
In a statement released in February, TLC expressed sorrow over the situation.
“We are genuinely saddened to announce the halt of important outpatient services for our elderly patients and most inpatient services.
Currently, the Miracle Campus Hospital provides care to over 700 patients each day, even on limited walk-in days.
This pause in services follows the government’s provision of E30 million relief in the 2024/25 financial year, which, while appreciated, has now been exhausted.
TLC had already scaled down some operations and made the tough decision to lay off staff to navigate these financial challenges,” read the statement in part.
TLC expressed gratitude for the temporary relief, which enabled them to fund prioritised programmes, including vital outpatient and inpatient care.
