Delayed action comes at huge cost

Madam,

The nation has engaged vigorously and robustly on the issue of drug shortages, but sadly there is seemingly still no solution at hand. This reflects badly on the calibre of leadership we have as a country, yet we need active and decisive leadership.

This is an issue I had personally hoped the previous administration would have arrested by the time they left office. It is important that we properly restock our health facilities and get services to our people. This is imperative and the people raised this issue multiple times at Sibaya. I must state that I am not at all impressed at the rate at which we are moving to address the issue of drug shortages within the health sector.

Yes it may be a bit early to expect swift changes from the new administration, however, this is an issue of national importance. Solving the problem requires a business unusual approach. We cannot put a value on life, delayed action from the leadership comes at a huge cost to the nation, the loss of life cannot be quantified.

The health crisis also brought to light the serious problem of corruption that the country has grappled with for the longest time. I have even contended before that we have normalised corruption as a nation. The slow pace in bringing the culprits to book scares me as a liSwati expecting punitive actions to be meted on those who have destroyed our health sector in the country. We need serious commitment from the administration that they will indeed arrest the problem of corruption. The impending health crisis will give us a good yard stick on the political will to prosecute corruption. There should be equality before the law and all rats must be treated equally.

I implore the current administration to work swiftly to gain the people’s trust. The health crisis would be a good starting point to win the approval of the people, adequate stocking of our hospitals is an issue of life and death. It is imperative to posit a decisive and action based stance on the issue. SS