A dysfunctional health system

TAFTER THOUGHTS GUESTWRITER

HERE is a white elephant that hangs in the balance, it’s big enough for everyone to notice but small enough for people to ignore nonetheless. Our health system is a cause for concern that doesn’t seem to concern enough people. At the rate things are going, we might not even have a system to begin with. If the current state of our health system is not considered a state of emergency, I don’t know which category it could fall under because it is barely staying afloat. From a shortage of drugs, to lack of ICU beds, lack of oxygen tanks and poor adherence to COVID- 19 regulations, our health system has become a detrimental crisis.

Changes

With all the changes happening in our country, it is truly shocking how no one has directly felt the need to radically address the issue of our health system. I n a country with barely t wo million people, how is it that we are afforded a health sector that completely can’t cater for its people. With hospitals and health facilities that can hardly provide the necessary nutrition for patients and queues that don’t follow COVID- 19 regulations, how is it that the Ministry of Health declared boldly prior to the third wave that the country was ready for it when the country was going through a point of deterioration in the health system.

Reached

The state of healthcare in Eswatini has reached junk status and will need a miracle at this point to fully recover. For instance, with the elderly grant provided to the elderly, as little as it is, they are expected to solely provide transportation to hospital and further pay for medication at pharmacies as there is an evident drugs shortage in health facilities.

Those who are being treated in these facilities are f aced with serious concerns as t he f ood prepared for them is not up to standard and does not have the required nutrients. Don’t get me started with those admitted for COVID- 19, as of late they barely have beds to use as there was a reported bed shortage at the Lubombo Referral ICU and recently some facilities reported a lack of oxygen tanks. launched for the businesses and remains to be seen if this extends to the families who lost relatives; particularly with the King alluding to the fact that all emaSwati are the King’s people.

Dlamini has just less than two years to make a difference and his academic background in the field of economics is one of the attributes the King cited as a possible advantage for the country in addressing the fiscal hardships we were facing prior to the coronavirus pandemic that diverted focus and funding to the healthcare sector.

Fixing

However, political commentators want the new PM to focus on fixing the politics which they view as critical if he is to have success in anything else. They also wish to see him live up to his submissions during the Sibaya of 2018, where, among other things, he called for less escort vehicles for the big wigs and a reduction in the number of ministries. Getting rid of waste in the use of taxpayers money is a must. Add to that the mammoth task of making us all feel safe enough to get on with our lives without having to look over our shoulders.

Reports of hate crimes inflicted on those who happen to support the monarchy are very disturbing and should immediately be dealt with. Those against the Tinkhundla system ought to demonstrate tolerance of one’s choice or affiliation unless they wish to send the message that their administration has no room for opposing views. The deaths that occurred during the unrest will not escape the eye of the international community, with the United Nations Human Rights Office already calling for a full investigation.

Will the PM launch an inquest as we have seen in the case of South Africa following the deaths of more than 200 people that occurred during similar looting and destruction of businesses, in particular mall shopping centres and warehouses? It doesn’t seem like he has a choice. How he addresses these critical issues will not only determine if he makes it for another term, but also the future status of the monarchy. Welcome to the high office Your Excellency and we wish you the best of success in carrying out this unenviable task.

If these issues are not inducing panic then we clearly have a long way to go. The authorities need to realign their priorities and focus on Eswatini’s barely surviving health system before it’s too late. A health system should always be a top priority in every country and not just a by the way in the face of other problems.

Dealing

What we are dealing with here i s a critical sector which ensures t he well- being of each individual in this country, if that is not a fragile issue, then I don’t know what is. So many people are focused on who’s angry with who and who said what instead of helping nurture a system responsible for preserving the lives we claim matter. With a proper health system, some of the deaths that are being recorded could have most likely been avoided. It would be unfair to solely blame the Ministry of Health for the deterioration of this system, instead I blame everyone in power, every single one of them. If the sworn in honourable prime minister( PM) doesn’t put the health system at the top of the priority list as he comes in office and reveals his agenda, then I blame him too.

These issues are the things that lead to civil unrest, the dents that crush and fold our current system and if we do not see this as a form of emergency then we might be heading for a point of no return. To be clad in good suits and top of the range outfits in Parliament just to discuss anything, but the health system in this country is a complete and utter injustice.