E10 BILLION SPENT, BUT NO DRUGS: ESWATINI’S HEALTH SECTOR IN CRISIS

Despite the Eswatini government spending an astonishing E10 billion on the health sector over the past five years, the public healthcare system is on the verge of collapse. Patients continue to die from treatable conditions due to widespread shortages of medicines and medical equipment, as revealed in a damning investigation by the Parliament Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The findings highlight gross mismanagement and corruption within the Ministry of Health, further compounding the suffering of ordinary Swazis.

The report, tabled in Parliament by PAC Chairperson and Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga, paints a bleak picture of Eswatini’s public healthcare facilities. It details how citizens rely on hospitals for diagnosis and prescriptions, only to be told to purchase life-saving drugs from private pharmacies due to shortages in government-run facilities. The situation is equally dire for admitted patients, whose relatives often have to procure necessary medicines themselves.

One of the most shocking revelations in the PAC report is the role of Swazipharm, a company allegedly owned by politically connected businessman Kareem Ashraff. The company stands accused of looting public funds, supplying expired drugs, and contributing significantly to the nation’s health crisis. Swazipharm has become a focal point in the mismanagement narrative, with allegations that its operations have worsened the already critical shortages in public hospitals.

The PAC conducted a site visit to the CMS (Central Medical Stores) warehouse in Matsapha and various health facilities, uncovering disturbing findings:

• Rows of empty shelves due to a severe shortage of drugs.
• Two warehouses filled with expired drugs worth over E83 million, which cannot be disposed of due to a lack of proper disposal facilities.
• Boxes of recalled drugs lying idle and unusable.
• Medical waste buckets worth E10 million, purchased from Swazipharm, left unused at the CMS.

The crisis extends beyond the CMS warehouses. At the Nhlangano Health Centre, the PAC discovered that the quantity of expired drugs was nearly equal to the usable stock. This alarming trend was evident across multiple health facilities, revealing systemic failures in inventory management, procurement, and quality control.

Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga did not mince words in his critique of the Ministry of Health. “Despite spending E10 billion in the past five years, citizens are dying due to a lack of medicines and equipment. Explanations from the Ministry of Health have failed to translate into action or improvement. The situation has worsened, leaving patients and their families to fend for themselves,” Mhlanga stated in his report.

The investigation also highlighted the lack of facilities for disposing of expired drugs, leaving warehouses overflowing with medical waste. This failure has created a significant environmental and public health risk, further emphasizing the government’s inability to manage its healthcare responsibilities.

The PAC has called for accountability and immediate reforms within the Ministry of Health, including a thorough investigation into Swazipharm’s operations. The alleged misappropriation of funds and the supply of expired drugs must be addressed to restore public confidence in the healthcare system.

Eswatini’s health crisis reflects a broader failure of governance under King Mswati III’s regime. While the monarchy continues to prioritize lavish spending and cultural ceremonies, ordinary Swazis are left to suffer the consequences of corruption and mismanagement. The government’s inability to ensure access to basic healthcare is a stark reminder of the disconnect between the regime’s priorities and the needs of its people.

For many citizens, the findings of the PAC report are not just statistics—they are a reflection of the daily struggles they face. Families who cannot afford private healthcare are forced to watch loved ones suffer or die from preventable conditions. The situation demands urgent action, not only to address immediate shortages but also to implement systemic reforms that prevent such crises from recurring.

Eswatini’s health sector is in desperate need of transparency, accountability, and competent leadership. The lives of millions depend on it. The PAC report is a wake-up call, and the time for change is now. Emaswati deserve a healthcare system that prioritizes their well-being over corruption and mismanagement. The government must act decisively to ensure that this crisis does not deepen further, and that every Swazi has access to the care they deserve.