The Kingdom of Swaziland joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Health Day under the theme “Universal health coverage (UHC): everyone, everywhere”.   This year’s celebrations marked the 70th birthday of the World Health Organization (WHO) as well the 40th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration of 1978 which called for health for all by the year 2000. 

The Kingdom of Swaziland has embraced the concept of UHC. The theme of the National Health Sector Strategic Plan (NHSSP) 2014-2018 is UHC, defined as “ensuring that all people have access to needed promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services, of sufficient quality to be effective, while ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship”. The goal is towards attainment of UHC with defined health services for a healthy and productive Swazi population that lives longer, fulfilling and responsible lives. UHC will contribute towards the country’s vision of attaining first world status by the year 2022 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. According to the country’s vision 2022, “A first world country is one where all citizens are able to sustainably pursue their life goals, and enjoy lives of value and dignity in a safe and secure environment. This implies equitable access to sufficient resources, education, health, food security and quality infrastructure and services, as well as good governance”.

The main focus of the health sector to attain UHC is to increase the number of health and related services and interventions provided across the country as well as increase coverage of the population by the different health and related services and interventions. Swaziland is facing a triple burden of diseases. While communicable diseases burden is still high, non-communicable disease are on the rise accompanied by high burden of maternal and child as well as nutritional conditions. Focusing on disease prevention in line with the basic principles of Primary Health Care as defined by the Declaration of Alma-Ata is key to the attainment of the goal of Health for All. This will ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
The 2018 World Health Day commemorations marked the beginning of a campaign where everyone in Swaziland – no matter where they live or who they are – can access essential quality preventive health services without facing financial hardship. In line with the theme “Universal health coverage (UHC): everyone, everywhere”; Swaziland said “Health access for all: Know your health numbers”.  

The message from the Honourable Minister of Health Senator Sibongile Ndlela-Simelane was that everyone should know his or her health numbers and how they compare to the acceptable normal ranges. These numbers include blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels; weight, waist circumference, Body Mass Index and vision among others. Knowing the numbers empowers one to be in charge of his or her own health and detect diseases early. Detecting diseases early helps prevent complications and some conditions like breast, cervical and prostate cancers can be cured. She also emphasised the need to adopt healthy lifestyles and avoid tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. Prevention is better than cure. 

On 7 April the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization and other stakeholders provided preventive health services free of charge to members of the community in the capital city, Mbabane. More than 2000 people of all ages were screened for risk factors and complications of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cancers. Some were screened for Tuberculosis (TB) using mobile x-ray machines and GeneXpert Test. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) counselling and testing was also done. Immunization, deworming and nutrition services were also provided on site. Health messages were disseminated through Interpersonal Communication (IPC) and distribution of health learning materials. Each attendee was given a health card indicating ‘the health numbers’ and these cards are to be brought back during next year’s World Health Day Celebration when a repeat screening will be done and the numbers updated. This activity is to be conducted each year on World Health Day.

The campaign was launched on 5 April through a high level breakfast meeting held at Happy Valley Hotel. The meeting was attended by the Honourable Minister of Health Senator Sibongile Ndlela-Simelane and the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health,  Dr Simon Zwane. The United Nations family was represented by the Resident Coordinator Mr Israel Dessalegne, Country Representatives of  WHO, Dr Tigest Ketsela Mengestu, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ms Sharareh Armikalili, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Mr Tim Rwabuhemba and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Ms Khanyisile Mabuza. There were also representatives of other international development partners and national Non-governmental Organization (NGOs). Also present were staff from the WHO Country Office and other United Nations Agencies, senior government officers, health workers and members of the media.

Focusing on the celebration of WHO 70th birthday, Dr Tigest Ketsela Mengestu highlighted the key achievements made by the Kingdom of Swaziland with support from WHO over the past seven decades. Over the past 70 years in Swaziland access to treatment and essential services has improved. There have been major advances in health and health technology, including life-saving medicines for diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hypertension and diabetes.  Health outcomes have been improved through strategies such as immunization, other high impact child survival strategies and implementation of malaria preventive interventions.

There has been a decline in the incidence of HIV infection as well as the fact that more than 87% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection are receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy. AIDS-related deaths were reduced by more than 50 percent between 2006 and 2016. Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV services coverage is maintained above 95%. Swaziland achieved 92% malaria case reduction between the years 2002 and 2016 and is ranked among 21 countries globally with the potential to eliminate malaria by 2020. For a first time in 2017, Swaziland recorded zero cases of polio, disability and death from diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles and rubella. However, much more needs to be done to curb the increase in non-communicable diseases, reduce the burden of maternal mortality and improve public health security.

She reiterated WHO’s continued support towards building stronger, more resilient and responsive health systems through UHC to advance #Health for All.