US embassy hands E15m High Dependency Unit

SITEKI - The USA Embassy handed over a state-ofthe-art High Dependency Unit to Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital and government had started constructing a E15 million three-storey structure.

The state-of-the art unit was handed over by the US Embassy, Charge de Affairs, Earl Miller yesterday during the graduation ceremony of 150 Good Shepherd Catholic College of Health Services graduates.

He said high care units were critical to Eswatini’s response to COVID-19 and this could save many lives in health facilities across the country. He said COVID-19 had tested all healthcare workers, institutions and it was the same with Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital as the health workers faced high work volume, personal risk to meet extraordinary demands for patients’ care.

SUPPORT

He said with the support of the USA Government, they had converted an existing ward to a High Care Unit. He said this would definitely assist critical patients who needed to be treated in that unit. He added that as the pandemic was not yet over and it turns three years, experts worry where the next pandemic would come from - and if they would be ready.

“So let’s be ready than sorry. Now more than ever it is clear that only through partnership and cooperation we can ensure a healthy and prosperous future for all,” he said.

In that regard, the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Themba Masuku, who was represented by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Pholile Shakantu, said the event was unique, as he had toured the hospital and witnessed the construction of a state-of-the art Outpatient Department, which was supported by government to the value of about E15 million and it would change the face of the hospital. He said this was testament to the commitment of a healthy relationship between government and the institution.

COMPLETED

He said they would try all possible means to ensure that it would be completed before the upcoming winter season so that the people of Lubombo could enjoy receiving healthcare services in a comfortable and warm environment.

The DPM added that he was impressed to witness the handing over of the newly-established high care unit, which was supported by the USAID and said it was professionally done.

In that regard, he thanked the USA Government and its people for the generosity. He highlighted that this would go a long way in improving the lives of emaSwati. Masuku said the hospital would now be able to manage critical patients who need specialised care and be better prepared for future pandemics.

Moreover, he said he was counting on the private sector to look at their social responsibility programmes and identify areas of collaboration with the institution.