Mbabane – Eswatini has taken a major step in strengthening its health security with the launch of the National Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) Guidelines, a system designed to speed up the detection and response to public health threats.
Officiating at the launch, Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula described the initiative as a “historic milestone” in safeguarding the lives of emaSwati.
“Health security is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity,” the minister said. “Time is everything. When we delay, lives are lost. But when we act swiftly, guided by accurate information, we can contain a threat before it becomes a crisis.”
The EBS system will complement traditional surveillance by collecting information from diverse sources, including health facilities, community observations, social media, and media reports. According to Matsebula, this approach ensures that unusual health events are detected early, whether in clinics, communities, or at the country’s borders.
Matsebula emphasized that EBS is more than a technical tool, calling it “the eyes and ears of our health system.” By listening to signals from the ground, the country can act quickly before threats escalate into emergencies.
The new guidelines align Eswatini with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and Africa’s New Public Health Order, ensuring the nation meets global health security standards.
Under the plan, Eswatini will integrate EBS into the national surveillance system, train health workers and community members to report unusual events, strengthen coordination across ministries and partners, and empower communities to actively participate in protecting public health.
“These guidelines are a home-grown solution, tailored to our unique context,” said Matsebula.
The minister also extended gratitude to development partners, including Africa CDC, US CDC, WHO, UNICEF, and ICAP, for their technical and financial support in shaping the guidelines.
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