NEWS
Mbabane – There has been relief to patients seeking medical assistance at the Mbabane Government Hospital; courtesy of Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC). ESRIC has stepped in with a vital donation of medical equipment to the public health facility, which has seen nurses protesting over the shortage of medical supplies in the past week. The insurance service provider donated towards bolstering the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The donation, which includes essential items such as pneumatic mattresses and sedation monitors, stresses ESRIC’s commitment to supporting and improving the kingdom’s healthcare infrastructure. Hospital officials expressed their gratitude, stating the crucial role this equipment will play in delivering the highest standards of care to patients facing life-threatening conditions.
Dr Lomangisi Dlamini, ICU Head of Department, highlighted the importance of the pneumatic mattresses in preventing bedsores, a common and serious complication for patients requiring prolonged bed rest. She said: “These mattresses are vital for maintaining skin integrity and greatly improve patient comfort. The sedation monitors, also part of the donation, will ensure that patients receive the precise level of sedation necessary for their treatment, particularly during lengthy periods of unconsciousness or when on mechanical ventilation. This equipment is crucial for patient safety, ” Dr Dlamini confirmed. Further bolstering the hospital’s infection control measures, ESRIC provided antimicrobial disposable curtains for use in patient bays. These curtains, according to Dr Dlamini, significantly reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections, which is a key aspect of the hospital’s hygiene and infection control strategy.
CRITICALLY
Respiratory support for critically ill patients will also receive a boost, according to the medical practitioner, thanks to the inclusion of oxygen regulators in the donated equipment. Dr Dlamini explained that even the provision of two televisions is seen as a valuable contribution to patient therapy. She said when patients begin to regain consciousness, visual and auditory stimulation, such as watching television, helps them to re-familiarise themselves with their surroundings; as such, Dr Dlamini said this plays an important part in their recovery and overall therapy.
ESRIC General Manager Zama Ngcobo, speaking at the handover ceremony, emphasised the vital role of the ICU within the national healthcare system. He said this unit is crucial because it serves patients who are on the brink of death. Ngcobo said their survival depends on the expertise, medication and equipment available here. “ESRIC finds it not just important, but vital to support the ICU department. If ever I need the ICU, I know I’ll be in safe hands. ” Ngcobo also took the opportunity to praise the dedication of the hospital’s healthcare workers. He said the health workers were the unsung heroes and their hard work and commitment are saving lives every day.
He pledged ESRIC’s continued support to the hospital, stating that the corporation remains committed to assisting whenever possible. Acknowledging that the ICU requires approximately E2 million worth of equipment to be fully equipped, a point raised by Dr Dlamini, Ngcobo assured the hospital of ESRIC’s willingness to help bridge that gap. He said this donation will go a long way, while also expressing his understanding that more support is needed and they were committed to being part of the solution.
Donation to benefit ICU, future healthcare workers
MBABANE - The donated medical equipment will not only enhance immediate patient care but also significantly boost the facility’s capacity to train the next generation of healthcare providers.
Hospital representatives have emphasised that the modern and functional equipment, donated to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), is crucial for effective training and professional development. Dr Thandolwakhe Dlamini, speaking on behalf of the hospital, expressed heartfelt gratitude to ESRIC for their sustained partnership, he said: “We are not just treating patients here - we are also training the next generation of healthcare providers. Having access to modern and functional equipment is crucial for effective training and professional development. ”
Dr Dlamini said the donated equipment will ensure that student doctors and nurses gain hands-on experience with the latest technology, better preparing them to handle the complexities of critical care. The ongoing partnership between ESRIC and the Mbabane Government Hospital dates back to 2021, when the corporation
DONATED EQUIPMENT:
- 4 Pneumatic pumps;
- 2 boxes of Bair Hugger active patient warming blankets;
- 4 boxes of adult and pediatric for conox sensors;
- Antimicrobial disposable curtains and curtain disinfectant spray;
- 2 LED 43-inch television screens;
- 4 oxygen cylinder regulators;
- Disinfectant spray;
- A laptop.
first donated medical equipment to support the ICU’s operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past, ESRIC’s contributions have included wall suction regulators and a Bair Hugger system, which assists in preventing hypothermia in patients – an important consideration in critical care.
APPRECIATION
According to ESRIC General Manager Zama Ngcobo, these donations are not just corporate social responsibility gestures, but expressions of appreciation for the work done by the hospital’s ICU team. “This is our way of thanking the department for their tireless efforts in saving the lives of emaSwati under the most critical of circumstances, ” he said. “It shows ESRIC’s commitment to improving the quality of life for all emaSwati. ”
The ceremony concluded with a tour of the ICU to showcase the newly donated equipment, with staff expressing their appreciation for the support, placing emphasis on the impact such donations have on morale and on their ability to deliver life-saving care. In a country where public hospitals often operate under resource constraints, the importance of such donations cannot be overstated. Access to high-quality equipment directly affects patient outcomes, especially in critical units such as the ICU, where time, precision and technology play a key role in determining survival, the general manager noted.
Ngcobo said the continued generosity of ESRIC not only reflects its corporate values, but also highlights the vital role that public-private partnerships play in nation-building. “By supporting essential services like the ICU, ESRIC is helping to ensure that all emaSwati have access to the life-saving medical care they deserve, regardless of economic status, ” Ngcobo said.