In a significant move towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Eswatini’s Vision 2022, the Ministry of Health launched a comprehensive 2016-2026 National Health Sector Policy to strengthen the country’s health systems and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Eswatini faces a mounting burden of emerging and re-emerging diseases, with many health conditions rooted in social determinants outside the health sector’s direct control. The policy outlines concrete areas of focus to address these challenges, aligning with international and national frameworks and guidelines.
Key Policy Directions
The policy emphasizes:
- Service delivery reforms: Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of health services nationwide.
- Leadership reforms: Strengthening leadership within the health sector to better coordinate and implement health initiatives.
- UHC reforms with social health protection: Ensuring that all individuals have access to necessary health services without financial hardship.
The Ministry of Health is dedicated to the successful implementation of the policy and calls upon all stakeholders, implementers, and partners in the health sector to actively support and adhere to the policy directives. The ministry emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in ensuring the smooth execution of the policy to achieve the desired health outcomes for the nation.