Collection points have been
set up across Mbabane, the Swaziland / eSwatini capital, to collect donations
to feed hospital patients left hungry after the government failed to pay food suppliers.
It is the latest
development in the financial crisis that is striking the kingdom ruled by absolute
monarch, King Mswati III.
Patients in hospitals
across Swaziland are going unfed, medicines of all sorts have run out, and hospital
equipment has broken down. The government which is not elected but handpicked
by the King is broke and has not paid suppliers. Other public services,
including schools are also hit.
Food banks organised by
members of the public working as the ‘Emergency Disaster Network’ have set up collection
points for donations at various points across the city for patients at the Mbabane
Government Hospital. Food items, ranging from bags of beans, rice, chicken
portions and sugar have been collected, the Swazi Observer reported. Cash donations
have also been made.
The health crisis has been growing
in recent years. The Observer
reported Health Minister, Lizzy Nkosi, ‘has explained that some of the
shortages were as a result of suppliers cutting supply because of outstanding
payments, which runs into millions of Emalangeni’.
It was reported in June
2019 that the food shortage had
also hit two other public hospitals, Hlatikhulu Government Hospital and
Nhlangano Health Centre, both in the Shiselweni Region.
The food problem is one of
many facing the health service in Swaziland which is caused by the government’s
inability to pay suppliers. There are shortages of many drugs across the
kingdom. Local media reported in the past that many people,
including children, have
died as a result.
It is not only a problem of drugs. Hospital equipment,
including
at intensive-care units at Mbabane Government Hospital, has also not been
maintained and cannot be used.
In June 2018 it was revealed there were only
12 working public ambulances in the whole of Swaziland because the
government failed to maintain them. It had bought no new ambulances since 2013.
See also
Swaziland
hospital crisis: govt not paid bills so patients only eat bread
https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/06/swaziland-hospital-crisis-govt-not-paid.html
HIV drugs not available across Swaziland as health crisis deepens
HIV drugs not available across Swaziland as health crisis deepens
Swaziland health crisis getting worse as budgets
cut. Rural areas most affected
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