The fact that Swaziland’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare Njabulo Mabuza lost his seat at the parliamentary election on Friday (19 September 2008) is unlikely to lead to improvements in the kingdom’s health services.
Mabuza, who is all but illiterate (a sad fact, I’m afraid, not an idle slur), was a disaster in office. Scandals about the misappropriation of drug funding, hospitals with no facilities; nurses and doctors leaving the health service in droves, unpaid salaries and allowances, while government budgets went unspent all dogged Mabuza in office.
Now he has been kicked out by the voters we will have to wait to see who King Mswati III appoints in his place. In the ‘unique democracy’ that is Swaziland the King doesn’t have to worry about the electorate, he can choose whoever he wants, so who knows we might even see Mabuza back in office before too long.
It is a sad fact that it doesn’t matter which individuals form the next government in Swaziland they will be as inept as the lot just leaving. This is because the collective capacity of the individuals who are available is so low.
In Swaziland, where political parties are banned and there is no real ‘political community’ anyone with any talent and integrity steers clear of politics. This leaves the field open to the chancers who are only interested in themselves and the huge salary and pension that comes with being a member of parliament.
If you doubt what I’m saying I invite you to name one member of the outgoing Swazi Cabinet who would be able to hold a similar job (on merit) in any other country?
So, alas, the health service in Swaziland will continue to deteriorate.
To illustrate some of the problems here’s a video report on one of the most important hospitals in Swaziland. It concentrates on Ward 8 of Mbabane Government Hospital, where abandoned and disabled children come for treatment. The ward is so over-crowded that babies are placed in cardboard boxes on the floor.
The video is independently-made in an attempt to raise funds for the children. It lasts about 10 minutes and features students at Waterford Khamlaba School and other volunteers. To view, click on the icon below or click this link.
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