By Sifiso Nhlabatsi | 2019-07-04

As government continues to struggle paying suppliers, resulting in drug shortages and food in public hospitals, citizens have responded with food donations for the Mbabane Government Hospital where the challenge is said to be huge.

A concerned Emergency Disaster Network of about 91 people, created by Bongani Mamba and coordinated by lawyer Gigi Reid-Miles, has responded with various food items, ranging from several bags of beans, bags of rice, chicken portions, sugar and many other items.

Director of Health Services Dr. Vusi Magagula has thanked the pro-activeness of all concerned citizens who did not want to get invitation but when they read  media reports responded in this fashion.

In fact, it is not the first time this network has responded to such a call, but have done it in the past when the same situation occurred, and have even contributed to the national call to assist Idai victims in Mozambique.

Government’s challenges have been easily exposed within the health sector as, it services the nation on a daily basis and some of the challenges it faces cannot be hidden.

Response

The Health Minister, Lizzy Nkosi, has found herself having to explain the reported drug shortages in public hospitals and Parliament has asked for immediate government response on this situation. The minister 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.

These concerned citizens have come together and are now collecting food parcels to be donated to the Mbabane Government Hospital.

Some have even gone as far as contributing money that will be used to buy the groceries. Some of these individuals include some few Members of Parliament, high ranking attorneys, business individuals, companies and other concerned citizens.

“Good day compassionate citizens! Here we are again appealing for your generous food donations towards the Government Hospital Food crisis, where our fellow countrymen are taking medication on an empty stomach.

Please drop Food Items at S&B Restaurant (Matsapha), in Manzini at Gigi-Reid Miles offices behind Cashbuild)…and at Portuguese Club Mbabane,” part of the message appealing for help reads.

Member of Parliament Lutfo Dlamini was among one of those who donated, the MP donated bags of rice. Others who donated include Gigi Reid Attorneys, Dr Sikhomba Gumbi and many others.

Obligation

Reid-Miles donated bags of mealie meal, bags of rice, bags of beans, cooking oil, boxes of Roobos tea and a lot of other items.

When asked about the donation initiative, Reid-Miles said she believes that as citizens of the country, people have an obligation to help each other.

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t help to say what the country can do for me all the time, what about saying what can I do for my country sometimes. And as far as I am concerned, it could be me in that bed struggling for my life, taking medication that I can’t take on an empty stomach,” Reid-Miles said.

She said they are collecting quite a bit and yesterday they collected vegetables, cheese, chicken, cooking oil, jam and a lot of other items.

By close of business yesterday, a total cash amount of E2 500 had been contributed towards buying other items to assist the patients.

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