MBABANE – The Kingdom of Eswatini will host the 76th Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Health Community Health Ministers’ Conference next month, bringing together regional health leaders and development partners to discuss shared health priorities.
Minister for Health Mduduzi Matsebula announced on Wednesday that the conference will run from February 3 to 5, 2026, with the Government of Eswatini partnering with ECSA-HC to organise the event.
“This conference provides an important platform for member states to come together and deliberate on practical solutions to improve health systems across the region,” said Matsebula. “It allows us to share experiences, learn from one another and agree on collective actions that respond to our people’s health needs.”
Themed “Enhancing Health Systems for Equity, Resilience and Sustainability,” the conference is expected to draw around 250 delegates, including nine health ministers from ECSA-HC member states, senior government officials, and representatives from international organisations such as the WHO Regional Office for Africa, Africa CDC, and the World Bank.
Other attendees will include development partners, researchers, health professionals from the public and private sectors, representatives from the Gates Foundation, the Global Fund, AUDA-NEPAD, as well as academics and civil society members.
Ahead of the ministerial conference, the ECSA-HC Regional Youth Summit will take place on January 30 and 31, focusing on investments in sexual and reproductive health. Minister Matsebula will officially open the youth summit, while the Prime Minister is expected to open the Health Ministers’ Conference.
Speaking on the role of youth, Matsebula said, “Young people are central to the future of our health systems. Investing in their sexual and reproductive health is not optional; it is necessary if we are to achieve sustainable development in the region.”
The programme will also feature a high-level breakfast meeting on eye health, where delegates will discuss the need for increased investment in eye care and strategies for integrating such priorities into national health agendas.
Matsebula called on the public and frontline workers to welcome visiting delegates warmly. “I urge all emaSwati, especially those working at our ports of entry, to receive our guests with kindness and respect,” he said. “A positive experience may encourage them to return to Eswatini, which also benefits our tourism sector.”
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