MBABANE – The Eswatini Government has stepped in to address the ongoing crisis surrounding the Eswatini Medical Aid Fund (EswatiniMed), citing the urgent need to protect patients who depend on the scheme for both local and international medical treatment.
The intervention, announced on 8 May 2025, comes amid growing concern over the future of the Fund, which is currently entangled in court proceedings. While Government has pledged not to interfere with the ongoing legal process, it has initiated consultations with key stakeholders to craft a long-term, sustainable solution.
EswatiniMed, which was established with Government as both a founding member and majority shareholder, has recently faced operational challenges affecting the continuity of healthcare services for its members. Patients currently admitted or seeking care had raised alarms over potential service disruptions.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo said the move is aimed at ensuring that the Fund’s assets are preserved and that access to essential medical services for emaSwati remains uninterrupted. He added that safeguarding the interests of citizens who have long relied on EswatiniMed remains a top priority for the State.