WHO Eswatini

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.

10/09/2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Eswatini Dr Susan Tembo has stated that evidence shows that 83% of people who die by su***de had contact with a health worker in the year before their death, and nearly half sought care in the last month of their life. These are missed opportunities for prevention.

She therefore mentioned that the health sector has a crucial role to play in preventing su***des and must rise to this challenge. Dr Tembo was speaking during the World Su***de Prevention Day, a day celebrated for the first time in Eswatini.

About 100 health workers and other stakeholders gathered for this event in Mbabane to deliberate on ways to stop su***des. This follows that Eswatini is ranked in the top two globally on su***des.

According to the Global Health Estimates 2021, our 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 and hence an urgent need for multisector response.

08/09/2025

Every year, more than 727 000 lives are lost to su***de.

Behind each number is a story cut short.

We aimed for a 33% reduction in deaths by 2030, but progress is just 12%.

This is a crisis. We must act with urgency, compassion & investment in ***dePrevention.

05/09/2025

𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗱𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝘃 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁
Dr. Susan Tembo, the WHO Eswatini representative, has applauded the Eswatini Government efforts to protect lives of emaSwati as demonstrated by the development of the national Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) Guidelines.

WR: "By integrating EBS into Eswatini’s national surveillance architecture, we are laying the foundation for a more agile, inclusive, and responsive health system—one that not only reacts to emergencies but anticipates them. One that recognizes communities not as passive beneficiaries, but as active participants in safeguarding their own health."

WR: "With the launch of these guidelines, Eswatini is sending a powerful message: that the health of its people is non-negotiable, and that no signal—no matter how faint—will go unheard.
The World Health Organization stands firmly beside you—not only as a partner, a supporter, and an ally—but as a committed stakeholder in the success of this initiative."

05/09/2025

03/09/2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm on the rising number of su***des in Eswatini, calling for urgent and coordinated action to save lives.

The Kingdom of Eswatini is ranked second (2nd) in the Global Su***de ranking. Speaking at a media engagement in preparation for the World Su***de Prevention Day commemoration in Mbabane today, the WHO Eswatini Representative Dr Susan Tembo stressed that su***de is not just a health issue but a shared societal responsibility that requires the commitment of all sectors including the government, communities, institutions, and the media.

“Su***de is not just a health issue, it’s a shared societal responsibility. Tackling it requires coordinated action across government, communities, and institutions,” she said. The WR noted that stigma continues to be one of the greatest obstacles to care, often discouraging people from seeking help. The organization urged the media to take the lead in dismantling stigma and promoting responsible reporting in line with the WHO LIVE LIFE framework, which identifies media engagement as one of four key interventions for su***de prevention.

Dr Tembo emphasized that su***de can be prevented through strong multisector collaboration, accountability, and adequate resources. She further pledged continued support to the Ministry of Health and partners, including technical expertise, training, and capacity building.

“Together we can change the narrative. Together we can save lives,” she affirmed.

Statistics show the between 2021 and 2025, Eswatini recorded 387 su***de-related cases at health facilities. Data from the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) revealed that between 2022 and 2024, there were 486 completed su***des, of which 80% were men and 20% women. The majority of victims (69%) were aged 25 years and above. The most common methods were:
Poisoning using pesticides accounting to 252 cases (52%), hangings – 212 cases (44%), firearm-related su***des – 6 cases (1%) and self-inflicted injuries such as burning, stabbing, or throwing oneself under a moving vehicle – 16 cases (3%).

Speaking at the same event, Ms Sindiso Bhembe, the Ministry of Health mental Health focal person, highlighted several vulnerable groups , including adolescents and young adults, women of reproductive age, people with untreated mental illnesses, victims of abuse and trauma, people with substance use disorders, isolated, unemployed, or marginalized individuals as well as those facing financial or relational stress.

The Kingdom of Eswatini wants to reduce its su***de rates by 1/3 by 2030 from a 2015 baseline . Dr Shabangu also reiterated that a multi sector response was needed for su***de prevention in country , explained that the Ministry of Health, through assistance from WHO and other partners plans to increase public awareness and health education on su***de prevention and strengthen the health sector’s capacity to respond effectively.

15/08/2025

WHO and Ministry of health, in collaboration with the UN Eswatini today conducted anti to***co awareness sessions for children and dependants of UN staff.

13/08/2025

The Measles Rubella vaccination teams (Lubombo region) today vaccinated children over 300 children at Mahhoshe and Mabhensane, places that are classified as hard-to-reach. A Rural Health Motivator under Mabhensane Samukelisiwe Ndlangamandla thanked the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners for ensuring that children in her area and around the country are vaccinated against MR. She mentioned that the people welcomed the initiative as evidenced by the high turnover.
Ministry of Health Eswatini

07/08/2025

The Measles campaign continues in various places across the country. Take your child your vaccination today.

07/08/2025

The Measles Rubella vaccination campaign has been well received by the people of Eswatini who continue to bring their children in numbers for vaccination. The campaign targets children from 9 months to 5 years. Children receive the MR vaccine, polio vaccine, Vitamin A supplementation and Albendazole for deworming.

WHO has provided both technical and financial support towards this campaign which seeks to secure a healthier future generation of Eswatini.
Ministry of Health Eswatini
Ministry of Health, Health Education Unit.