Manzini- A local medical professional who is also a founder of a newly established cancer centre has Dr Mbongeni Dlamini, shared the personal experience that inspired him to bring oncology services closer to home, citing the emotional and financial strain patients face when forced to seek treatment abroad.
Speaking during a media briefing today, Dlamini said his decision was shaped by his time working in a private hospital in Johannesburg, where he witnessed women battling cancer being required to travel long distances and navigate complex referral and visa processes to access treatment in South Africa and other countries.
“I saw a number of women who had come for their cancer treatment, and the suffering they had to go through,” he said, describing how patients were often moved between lodges and treatment facilities far from their families while awaiting approval for overseas care.
He expressed particular concern for younger patients, noting that some, as young as 15, were housed in temporary accommodation for months during treatment periods, leading to long absences from school and family life.
“In some cases, they are housed in lodges for up to three months and miss out on studies and many other things,” he said.
The founder added that although he had an opportunity to remain in South Africa’s private healthcare sector with a shareholding offer, he chose instead to return home and invest in building local capacity.
“I declined it, and I decided I would come back home,” he said, describing the move as a personal fulfilment of his long-term vision to improve access to care locally.
He also acknowledged the support of partners and investors, particularly Mandla “Cheeks” Nxumalo, who contributed funding for the establishment of the facility, as well as specialists who joined the team to strengthen service delivery.
According to Dlamini, the new centre now offers diagnostic and treatment capacity for cancer patients, including a fully equipped radiology suite, aimed at reducing the need for patients to seek medical services abroad.
“If you decide to go to South Africa, that would be your own choice. Otherwise, we have what they have here,” he said, emphasizing that patients now have access to essential oncology services locally.
The centre is expected to play a growing role in expanding access to cancer care within Eswatini, while easing the burden on families who previously had to travel outside the country for diagnosis and treatment.
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