WHO Eswatini

18/11/2025

Rep. Dr Susan Tembo today donated two WHO pre-owned cars to Hospice at Home and Hope House. Both beneficiary organizations provide palliative care to Emaswati. The cars were received by Hospice at Home Patron HRH Inkhosikati LaNgangaza, who was represented by HRH Princess Temtsimba and Father Sandile Mswane, respectively. Also present was Ministry of Health Under Secretary Anthony Masilela.

In her remarks, the WHO Rep stated that palliative care is not an optional extra, but a core part of Universal Health Coverage. It is a vital service for children and adults living with cancer, advanced HIV, heart disease and many other chronic conditions.

She noted that Hospice at Home's model of care depends on reaching people where they are, thus, reliable transport is a lifeline. "Without a vehicle, nurses and social workers may miss visits, medicines may be delayed, and families may feel abandoned at the very moment they need support. Transport constraints also limit your ability to extend services to new communities.
It is for this reason that the WHO Country Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is donating this vehicle to Eswatini Hospice at Home. Our intention is simple: to help you reach more patients, more consistently and more safely." she said.

When addressing Hope House, the WR said "Today, we are not simply handing over a car, we are supporting the “wheels of compassion” that carry patients from hospital to hospice, from hospice back home, and often from despair to renewed hope. We envision this vehicle helping to bring patients safely to and from Hope House so that distance is no longer a barrier."

in closing, the WR emphasised that WHO does not deliver services directly to communities but work through governments and partners like these two organizations. "Today’s handover symbolizes the kind of partnership we need more of in Eswatini; government, faith-based organizations, communities and international agencies each bringing their strengths so that no one is left behind."

10/11/2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) Eswatini today welcomed stakeholders to a Resource Mapping Workshop which follows the successful development and costing of the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS). WHO country office, HQ and AFRO supported this exercise in collaboration with Africa CDC.

during the official opening of the workshop, WHO Representative Dr Susan Tembo remarked that: "The development of the NAPHS was a truly multisectoral process, bringing together expertise and commitment from across government ministries, departments, and agencies, with strong collaboration from our partners. This collective effort reflects Eswatini’s recognition that health security is a shared national responsibility, requiring coordination and investment across all sectors of society."
"We wish to commend the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini for its strong leadership and commitment throughout the NAPHS process — from the initial consultations to the finalization and costing of the plan. This level of ownership and coordination is key to ensuring that the NAPHS translates into concrete actions that strengthen the country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies."

Dr Tembo mentioned that the resource mapping workshop marks an important step in moving from planning to implementation. She said the exercise would help identify and align existing financial and technical resources, clarify areas of overlap, and highlight gaps that require additional support.

"This will enable better coordination among partners and ensure efficient use of available resources. Importantly, the NAPHS will serve as a key resource mobilization tool — guiding the Government and partners to mobilize both domestic and international resources in a structured and coordinated manner to address the country’s priority health security needs."

"Finally, WHO wishes to acknowledge the continued partnership and dedication of all participating ministries, departments, agencies, and development partners. Together, we are strengthening Eswatini’s capacity to build a resilient health system, one that protects the health and well-being of every person in the Kingdom," she said.

31/10/2025

today led the UN Eswatini staff in commemorating World Mental Health Day under the theme: "Mental Health in Emergencies". Sr. Nomalungelo Dlamini, Wellness Nurse facilitated the session with emphasis on self-awareness, preparedness and healthy coping.

30/10/2025

The Ministry of Health Eswatini with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) Eswatini will conduct a Polio vaccination mop-up campaign in the Hhohho region. The campaign will start from 3-7 November 2025. All children should be brought the vaccinate against Polio. The Measles & Rubella vaccine will also be given to children who missed their vaccination.

27/10/2025

World Health Organization (WHO) Eswatini has supported the Measles and Rubella mop up in Shiselweni and Hhohho regions. This follows that some children were missed during the initial campaign held countrywide in June, where the children were given the Measles and Rubella vaccine, Polio vaccine, Vitamin A and Albendazole.

This time, thousands of children were given the Polio vaccine in different communities in the two regions. Teams from the Nhlangano Health Centre visited areas such as Machobeni, Nzongomane, Makhosini, Amitofo, Ngoni and many others to vaccinate children against Polio.

Those that had missed the MR vaccine were also given to ensure that an outbreak of Measles is prevented.

22/10/2025

22/10/2025

As the rainy season starts, World Health Organization (WHO) Eswatini has supported health education sessions in affected areas in the Lubombo and Hhohho regions. Today, a team from WHO, National Programme and Health Promotion visited Ngoni Community in the Lubombo where they equipped over 100 men and women with information on how to identify signs and symptoms of Malaria as well as prevention measures.

As of epidemiological week 22, in 2025, a total of 360 malaria cases and five related
deaths had been reported. Among the 338 cases investigated, 66% were identified as indigenous,
signaling a concerning shift in local transmission dynamics.

In light of this, WHO swiftly stepped up to support efforts to strengthen community awareness, especially among high-risk and vulnerable populations, with the aim to improve prevention, early detection, and timely treatment.

23/09/2025

WHO Eswatini supported the World Patient Safety Day where Ministry of Health Eswatini health sensitization exercise at Buhleni in the Northen Hhohho region. The theme for this year was "Safe care for every newborn and every child". Nurses from Mkhuzweni Health Centre conducted health education sessions on safety of newborn, sensitizing the small community of Buhleni.

Speaking on behalf of the WHO Representative, Dr Mekdim Ayana, the WHO Health Systems officer said "Health workers have the moral and professional duty of protecting patients by providing “safe, high-quality, people-centred care. Safe quality health care services are essential for individuals, families, and communities”.

"Safer care depends upon well-designed systems, good infrastructure, adequate numbers of competent health workforce, effective employee, and patient support systems, engaged caregivers and empowered communities. I therefore, call on, policy makers, private sector and government ministries, Ministry of Health, development partners, and all stakeholders to mobilize support at national and regional levels to invest in health system strengthening including governance and leadership and health service delivery."

22/09/2025

World Patient Safety Day commemoration at Ebuhleni in the Northern Hhohho region. Supported by World Health Organization (WHO) Eswatini, this event was meant to sensitize the people of Ebuhleni on the importance of newborn safety.

12/09/2025

10/09/2025

Eswatini today commemorated, for the first time, the Su***de Prevention Day. About 100 stakeholders including clinicians, the media, academia and civil society gathered in Mbabane to discuss ways to reduce su***de in the country.

Eswatini is ranked among the top 2 countries globally in su***de rate. According to the Global Health Estimates 2021, Eswatini's national su***de rate stands at 31.8 per 100,000 population: almost three times above the African regional average of 11.5. Even more alarming, Eswatini records the highest male su***de rate in the world, at 54.2 per 100,000. These figures place Eswatini among the most severely affected countries; not only in the region, but globally.

"We must change this. Clinicians and health workers must be trained, supported, and encouraged to ask difficult questions about suicidal thoughts with compassion and confidentiality. Our facilities must be spaces of compassion, confidentiality, and care," said the World Health Organization (WHO) Eswatini Representative Dr Susan Tembo.