MP fears drought will leave patients hungry

Shiselweni I MP Shawnette Henwood questioned whether hospitals can support patients facing food shortages during a possible drought. Henwood raised the concern during debate on the Ministry of Health’s second-quarter performance report, asking if the ministry had prepared for a possible El Niño-related drought and its effects on patients who depend on medication. She recalled that the ministry previously provided food to some patients and asked why the programme had ended, wanting to know what assistance would be available if drought conditions made it difficult for patients to obtain food.

Legislators also called for dialysis services at more hospitals to reduce patients’ journeys to Mbabane Government Hospital, citing non-operational dialysis machines at some public facilities. Sithobelweni MP Vincent Sihlongonyane questioned why antivenom appeared to be available at certain hospitals but not others, noting that high temperatures in his constituency increased concerns about snakebites. Nkomiyahlaba MP Mantunta Dlamini and LaMgabhi MP Sicelo Jele also called for wider availability of antivenom as temperatures rose.

Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula responded to questions about dialysis, stating that machines would begin operating later in the month. Henwood also raised concerns about access to cancer treatment, pointing to a backlog of cases involving patients awaiting support from the Phalala Fund and calling for intervention. She also asked when bagcugcuteli would receive their proposed allowance increase.

Why it mattersEmaSwati patients face potential food shortages during drought and delayed medical treatment due to funding backlogs and limited services.

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