MBABANE – At least 419 health workers’ vacancies are looking at being filled by the Ministry of Health in addressing the lack of human resources and medical supplies in the country’s health system.
This was shared by the Principal Secretary (PS) Khanya Mabuza at Tuesday’s media briefing following health workers’ sit-in at the Mbabane Government Hospital who vowed to neglect patients and ‘only pray for patients’ amidst medicine shortages, and human resource deficits.
Mabuza said the ministry was working on a strategy to ensure that most of the interventions are met within three months.
The vacancies, however, are far from the recommendations of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2024 findings of the Health Labour Market Analysis in Eswatini where it was stated that 14 125 additional health workers are needed to attain the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) targets.
The PS has been petitions by healthcare workers on issues of medical supplies and human resource shortages.
Mabuza said the recruitment would help in alleviating burn-out of health workers who are also forced to work excessive overtime.
He said he was acknowledging the dire situation in some health centres before assuring that about 82 retiree vacancies also looked at being filled within the timeframe.
The PS confirmed that the Ministry of Public Service had granted approval to fill these crucial positions, stating, “We are working on this, and we believe that the situation will improve.”
PS Mabuza also said that about 80 percent of medicine had been ordered, some procured with World Bank funds and also urging for the establishment of the ministry’s emergency fund to stock essential meds.
Mabuza denounced the proposed neglect of patients, stating that hospitals “must be accessible” and that no one, “not even the minister, had the authority to deprive patients of medical assistance.”
The PS said the ongoing emergency drug procurement process faces challenges of suppliers sometimes failing to deliver complete orders, necessitating swift action to acquire vital medications.
He also said to improve the ministry’s accountability and patient care, a new platform is set for launch next week, allowing patients to register their grievances at hospital administrators’ offices if denied service or prescribed medications.
This system, currently being piloted in five hospitals, will also enable the ministry to monitor drug distribution and shortages, aiming for greater visibility and preventing illicit drug diversion.
He added that the ministry was working with the police to investigate pharmacies suspected of stealing government drugs.
Mabuza appealed for patience from both healthcare workers and the public.
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