Swazi Observer

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COUNTRY RUNS OUT OF DIALYSIS TREATMENT

By SITHEMBILE HLATSHWAYO | 2025-02-27

OVER 230 dialysis patients receiving treatment at Mbabane Government and Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospitals have pressed the panic button as they have been advised that there is only a week’s supply of medication.

This follows the suspension of the dialysis services at the RFM Hospital about a week ago, after running short of the supplies. Such has resulted in an influx at the Mbabane Government Hospital.
Currently, over 300 patients receive dialysis treatment in the country. Mbabane Government Hospital assists around 190 patients, RFM over 45 while the Hlatikulu Government Hospital assists over 40.

Dialysis is provided by two companies; Nipro and Fresenius which are South African (SA) based. Nipro is servicing the Hlatikulu Government and Fresenius supports the RFM and Mbabane Government Hospitals.

Information gathered by this publication from a reliable source is that the country ordered supplies provided by the SA company which is currently undergoing major changes within their management and these are now affecting supplies locally.

A source close to the matter stated that some of the supplies paid for under the existing contract remain with the supplier and had left the country in this situation.

The source stated that when the ministry requested the supplies, they were informed that the transition did not allow for them to release anything but to hold on until everything is sorted.
supplies

Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health Khanya Mabuza confirmed that the country had been having challenges with supplies lately.

Mabuza said the ministry was having difficulties in getting Fresenius to provide services and as such they have taken the patients who were receiving services at RFM to get them at the Mbabane Government Hospital. He said it first started with delays in delivering or the equipment breakdown.

Mabuza said the assumptions were that the changes being effected by the supplier would not affect them, but unfortunately it was no longer the case as the country was being affected.

"We have visited SA to engage with the company and have been assured that they will continue providing services seamlessly, until we get a new company on board."

Mabuza added that the situation the country was in now, was not what had been agreed upon with the supplier. He said Eswatini had a long-term contract with the SA company which was now running for the 10th year, adding that they had also established the centres.

"We extended our contract with the company for another year so that we allow that if a new company comes in, it is given a chance," the PS explained. However, Mabuza said beginning from last year, the challenges with supplies from the company started.

resulted

This, he said, resulted to the ministry going to fetch the supplies in SA for themselves.
According to the PS, last year they were able to fetch the stock.

Eswatini National Kidney Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nkosinatsi Dlamini said the situation was shocking, especially considering that only a week's supply remains.

Dlamini said it was an unfortunate situation because patients need to dialyse at least three times a week. "If the patient does not dialyse, their life is in danger." He said as an organisation looking into the rights of persons with renal failure, they were disturbed by the news.

The CEO stated that they were praying for government to come up with a solution sooner.

Health ministry working round the clock to sort situation

A team from the ministry of health has reportedly left for South Africa (SA) to engage the company offering dialysis services in the country.

This was disclosed by the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry Khanya Mabuza.
He stated that this was in an effort to try and get the supplies and resolve the current crisis.
He said the team left yesterday without making an appointment as the company keeps pushing days.

engaging
According to the PS, they have been engaging with the company since last year on the matter, to this day.

Mabuza said during the process of change by the company, they managed to get some of the supplies and some were left behind.

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