Ministry of Health launches major recruitment to fill 408 vacancies
By Delisa Magagula
The Ministry of Health has unveiled an aggressive human resource deployment strategy aimed at alleviating the crippling staff shortages and persistent burnout issues plaguing the country’s public health system.
This recruitment drive, which is a core component of the government’s broader health sector reform agenda, targets filling 408 critical vacancies in a concerted effort to enhance service delivery and build a resilient workforce.
The decision comes as part of the Ministry’s proactive response to years of high staff attrition, primarily driven by compulsory retirements and resignations, which have left public hospitals and clinics severely understaffed.
Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula emphasised the necessity of this move, positioning the restoration of the health sector as an imperative for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and securing the nation’s human capital for future prosperity.
The latest initiative, detailed in the Ministry’s 2025/26 Second Quarter (July to September) Performance Report, details the specific cadres being prioritised for recruitment and deployment.
The Ministry, working in close collaboration with the Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Public Service, is focusing on bolstering essential patient-facing departments.
Nursing Staff: A total of 104 nursing roles are slated for immediate filling, acknowledging the tremendous strain on current frontline caregivers who have often had to work excessive overtime to compensate for the significant deficits.
Pharmaceutical Services: A major expansion is planned for pharmacy and medical supply management to stabilise the drug supply chain. This includes the urgent recruitment of 115 Pharmacists and 37 Pharmacy Technicians, to complete the recruitment and deployment process for these cadres by October 2025.
Support Services: The Ministry recognises that a functioning health system relies on more than just clinical staff, and has allocated funding for 123 support staff positions to ensure facilities and logistics run smoothly.
This immediate drive to fill 408 positions is a critical step in addressing the overall human resource deficit, which has, at times, involved hundreds of declared vacancies. While acknowledging the magnitude of the shortage, this targeted recruitment aims to provide immediate, tangible relief to overstretched departments.
“The current recruitment and deployment strategy is not an isolated measure; rather, it is anchored in the newly launched Human Resources for Health (HRH) Strategy 2025–2030. This long-term, comprehensive policy is designed to address the root causes of the health workforce crisis,” said Matsebula.
The HRH Strategy focuses on three principal pillars which are workforce deployment, this pillar involves strategically placing new and existing staff where the need is greatest, ensuring that rural and underserved areas benefit from the new influx of personnel.
The plan includes a commitment to aligning staff deployment with broader public sector reforms to maximise efficiency.
Retention and motivation, beyond recruitment, the strategy includes an emphasis on improving the working environment, addressing staff welfare issues, and exploring incentives to reduce the high rate of attrition. This is a direct response to the “relentless work done” by health staff and aims to foster a more resilient and motivated workforce.
“Continuous professional development and aligning local training institutions with national health needs are key to ensuring a sustainable supply of qualified health professionals for the future,” said the Minister.
Furthermore, the Ministry is actively working to secure the continued employment of 260 health officers previously supported by a major international partner, USAID, by transitioning their contracts to a new partner, RISE.
This forward-thinking measure ensures that the current pool of experienced staff is retained, preventing a major and immediate setback in public health service provision.
Meanwhile complementing the human resource efforts, the Ministry is simultaneously fast-tracking reforms in its supply chain, particularly through the Central Medical Stores (CMS).
This is critical, as health worker morale and public trust are heavily affected by chronic medicine stock-outs. In a move to enhance accountability and public finance management, the Ministry has clarified its stance on supplier performance and product quality.
The Minister confirmed that contractual terms strictly mandate suppliers to either replace or reimburse the cost of any recalled or substandard pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
Should a supplier fail to honour this within 60 days, the Ministry can legally withhold equivalent funds from other outstanding payments to that supplier. This mechanism is designed to safeguard public funds and ensure the quality of commodities, which is crucial for the work of the newly deployed health professionals.
In summary, Eswatini’s Ministry of Health is committing significant resources and strategic focus to a major human capital investment. The recruitment of 408 health professionals and support staff, backed by the long-term HRH Strategy, marks a decisive and necessary pivot toward stabilising the country’s public health system and delivering on the promise of Universal Health Coverage for all citizens.
