High level commemoration of WHO 75th Anniversary

On the 13th April 2023, Eswatini joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Health Day which also marks the 75th Anniversary of the World Health Organization.

WHO was founded on the 7th April 1948.

The high level commemoration, hosted by the Ministry of Health and WHO Eswatini at the George Hotel in Manzini, was graced by Eswatini Prime Minister, Cleopas Dlamini, who reaffirmed the country’s commitment to “promoting and protecting public health and equity.” The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for the successful COVID-19 response in Eswatini and across the world. “As a country, we are so grateful to the World Health Organization for the support during the COVID 19 pandemic response,” he said. “A series of interventions were activated both at sectoral and multi-sectoral levels across all four regions of the country.”

Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi, noted that WHO’s 75th anniversary was an opportunity to look back at the public health successes that have improved quality of life during the last seven decades. “Thank you all for your contributions in health. We still have challenges but in the same breath, we've gained enough strength from what we have already built thus far,” she told the gathering of senior government officials, diplomatic community, UN agencies, civil society, persons with disabilities and many others.

WHO Eswatini Representative ad interim, Dr. Geoffrey Bisoborwa, noted that health goals in Eswatini could not have been achieved if it were not for health partners joining hands and resources to ensure that all Emaswati get better health services. "Partner support cannot be overlooked and we thank all health partners in Eswatini who have provided resources including financial and technical support to ensure that health goals are achieved in the Kingdom," he said.

UN Resident Coordinator, George Wachira, noted that there was no doubt of the need for a global, professional and scientific health organisation when the world woke up to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. “The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the deep interconnections and strong interdependencies between countries and the shared fate among the peoples on our planet. It exposed our vulnerabilities and declining global solidarity just when it was most needed,” he stated.

The Resident Coordinator also applauded the Government of Eswatini for the great strides made in improving the health of Emaswati. “Eswatini has indeed emerged as good story in its pushback against HIV/AIDS,” he stated. “This success is a good demonstration of strong leadership at the highest level, policy-making and implementation, community engagement and strong international partnership. We must therefore celebrate the great effort of the Government and the solidarity of international partners, some of whom are in the room today.”