- Minister Matsebula Urges African-Led Healthcare Solutions
BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Minister of Health Hon. Mduduzi Matsebula has called on African countries to work together towards achieving health sovereignty and reducing dependence on external donors in strengthening healthcare systems across the continent.
The minister made the remarks during a side meeting on Global Public Health and Primary Health Care held alongside the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, Switzerland.
The meeting was hosted in partnership with Zimbabwe and South Africa following the opening plenary session attended by African member states.
Minister Matsebula addressed the gathering both as Eswatini’s Health Minister and in his capacity as Chairperson of the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC).
‘We Cannot Build Health Sovereignty On Donor Dependency’
In his address, Matsebula warned that chronic underfunding remains one of the greatest threats facing African healthcare systems.
“Chronic underfunding of Public Health and Primary Health Care is the single most corrosive force undermining our health systems. Domestic budgets remain far below the Abuja Declaration’s 15 per cent target,” he said.
The minister stressed that African countries must prioritise self-sustaining healthcare systems.
“We cannot build health sovereignty on donor dependency. The time for African-led, African-financed and African-accountable health systems is now,” he added.
Matsebula further described regional organisations such as ECSA-HC as critical platforms for strengthening collaboration, sharing expertise and collectively responding to cross-border health threats.
Five Key Calls Made By Eswatini And ECSA Region
On behalf of Eswatini and the ECSA region, Minister Matsebula presented five major calls aimed at strengthening healthcare systems across Africa.
The five priorities included:
- Ring-fence health financing
The minister said domestic healthcare investment must be treated as a national priority rather than a secondary budget item.
He called for innovative and accountable financing systems to strengthen public health funding.
- Build health sovereignty
Matsebula urged African countries to:
- Strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Control healthcare supply chains
- Retain skilled healthcare workers
- Govern and protect health data
He said international partnerships should support African independence rather than deepen dependency.
- Recommit to Primary Health Care
The minister described Primary Health Care (PHC) as the most effective and equitable foundation for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
He said investing in community healthcare strengthens resilience and preparedness against future health crises.
- Build stronger coalitions
Eswatini endorsed the Africa and Global PHC Coalition and called on:
- Governments
- Regional organisations
- Civil society
- Private sector stakeholders
to support collaborative healthcare solutions.
- Deliver a strong WHA79 communiqué
Matsebula called for the final WHA79 communiqué to include clear operational commitments and accountability mechanisms to help countries achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3, particularly Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
Focus On Health Equity And Solidarity
The minister’s remarks aligned with the meeting’s theme:
“Investing Better and Investing More in Health Equity, Solidarity and Sovereignty.”
The discussions highlighted growing concern among African nations about:
- Healthcare financing gaps
- Dependence on foreign aid
- Weak public health systems
- Healthcare workforce shortages
- Unequal access to healthcare services
African leaders attending WHA79 continue to advocate for stronger regional cooperation and increased domestic investment to improve healthcare outcomes across the continent.
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