In a significant demonstration of partnership and progress, the Ministry of Health represented by the Minister, Honourable Mduduzi Matsebula, received a fleet of vehicles and critical IT equipment funded through the Global Fund grant received by Eswatini to fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The handover ceremony, was officiated by the Eswatini Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Chairperson, Ms. Lungile Shongwe, alongside the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) Chairperson, Her Excellency Njabuliso Gwebu in the presence of the Ministry of Health officials, the media, CCM Secretariat and other invited guests. This event marked a significant milestone in the development of the country's health system and accelerating epidemic control.

Since 2003, Eswatini has been a grateful and proud beneficiary of the Global Fund's assistance—an investment now valued at an incredible US$377 million. This long-standing partnership has been important in the fight against HIV, TB, and malaria, as well as in the broader goal of strengthening resilient and sustainable health systems.

“It is a privilege to participate in this much-awaited ceremony," said Honourable Mduduzi Matsebula. "This assistance significantly improves our efforts towards achieving the objectives contained in our National Health Sector Strategic Plan and brings us closer to epidemic control of HIV and TB." At the heart of the ceremony was the transfer of 23 vehicles aimed at enhancing service delivery for the key programmes of the Ministry of Health;

• 4 cars for the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTCP)
• 4 cars for the Rural Health Motivators Program (RHMP)
• 1 car for the Eswatini National AIDS Program (ENAP)
• 2 cars for the Strategic Information Department (SID)
• 4 cars for the Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit (SRHU)
• 8 ambulances for the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) department

The Ministry also received 30 laptops to facilitate the digitization of health services:

• 5 laptops for RHMP
• 21 laptops for ENAP
• 4 laptops for SID

These will improve data management and service delivery, particularly in enabling the roll-out of the Client Management Information System (CMIS) in health facilities.

On behalf of the CCM, Ms. Lungile Shongwe extended appreciation to NERCHA, the country’s Principal Recipient (PR), on its outstanding leadership in ensuring coordination and implementation through Sub Recipients (SR) such as NTCP, ENAP, and others within the ministry.

“The CCM is dedicated to assisting the PR in reaching our national health objectives," said the CCM representative. "This is a testament to the outcomes we can attain through partnership; the government, partners, civil society, and communities coming together”.

The Ministry reasserted its adherence to upholding the highest level of stewardship, value for money, and grant accountability. This includes performance of all grant management activities as required by The Global Fund, particularly the Health Management Information System (HMIS).

The Minister of Health also extended appreciation to all the stakeholders—the CCM for its role as an overseer of the grant implementation, NERCHA, and the Eswatini health programmes—for their tireless efforts towards ensuring the successful implementation of The Global Fund grant. Their joint effort is making a substantial contribution towards improving the well-being and health of all emaSwati.