by Ncaba Ntshakala
The Government of Eswatini has officially opened three new state-of-the-art operating theatres at the Referral and Emergency Complex at Mbabane Government Hospital, thanks to generous funding from the Taiwan Government.
The commissioning ceremony was led by the Minister of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, in the presence of Taiwan’s Ambassador to Eswatini, Jeremy Liang, alongside representatives from Taiwan and officials from the Ministry of Health.
In his remarks, Matsebula expressed his deep satisfaction with the opening of the theatres, where he emphasized the considerable efforts invested to ensure their full functionality.
“It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today at Mbabane Government Hospital to officially inaugurate the three new operating theatres within the Referral and Emergency Complex.
This moment brings me immense joy, especially considering the extensive efforts required to ensure these theatres are fully operational,” he said.
The minister acknowledged the challenges faced in getting the facility to this point, noting that the entire complex was originally opened by His Majesty King Mswati III on October 15, 2021.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic significantly delayed the full operationalization of the complex, with the unit being temporarily repurposed as the Out-patient Department (OPD) while the existing OPD served as a Covid-19 isolation unit.
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Matsebula expressed gratitude to the hospital management for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the facility is now offering critical services, including emergency care and specialized treatments.
The Referral and Emergency Complex was constructed between 2017 and 2021 and was said to be an example of the strong partnership between Eswatini and Taiwan.
While most of the facility’s floors had been operational, the theatres had remained inactive until now.
The operationalization of these theatres was hailed as a major step for the country’s healthcare system as it will enabling healthcare workers to deliver essential services while also enhancing their skills in emergency management and various surgical disciplines.
Minister Mduduzi Matsebula highlighted the importance of these theatres in accommodating the growing number of local medical specialists, many of whom have been trained with government funding.
The theatres will also provide space for external experts, particularly those from Taiwan, who are eager to contribute to the country’s healthcare services.
Additionally, specialists working under the Phalala Fund have shown interest in utilizing these facilities to offer specialized care to emaSwati.
A key focus of the minister’s speech was the financial and emotional burden faced by patients who are currently transferred to neighboring countries for specialized medical services through the Phalala Fund.
He stressed that the operationalization of these theatres is a crucial step toward reducing these transfers, thereby keeping patients closer to their families during critical times.
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The Minster shared that the Ministry of Health has already implemented several measures to improve the Phalala Fund’s efficiency, including partnerships with local private practitioners, ongoing procurement of essential medical equipment, and the expansion of cancer treatment services within the country.
He said the ministry’s ultimate goal is to eliminate the need for international referrals by building self-sufficiency in providing specialized healthcare services.
Matsebula concluded by expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Taiwan for their continued support, even in the face of significant challenges.
He also commended the management team at Mbabane Government Hospital for their resilience and dedication in bringing the theatres to full operational status, ensuring that emaSwati continues to receive quality healthcare services.
