Health in Eswatini

As a result of 63% poverty prevalence, 27% HIV prevalence, and poor health systems, maternal mortality rate is at a high of 389/100,000 live births,[1] and under 5 mortality rate is at 70.4/1000 live births[2] resulting in a life expectancy that remains amongst the lowest in the world.

Nurses are now and again engaged in demonstrations over poor working conditions, drug shortages, all of which impairs quality health delivery.

[4] Primary health care is relatively free in Eswatini save for its poor quality to meet the needs of the people.

Road traffic accidents[5] have increased over the years and they form a significant share of deaths in the country.

[10] When looking at the right to health with respect to children, Eswatini achieves 85.5% of what is expected based on its current income.

[10] In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves only 52.8% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income.

In 2003, the Eswatini government (then Swaziland) declared HIV/AIDS a national crisis, with 38.8% of tested pregnant women infected with HIV (see AIDS in Africa).

Prime Minister Themba Dlamini declared a humanitarian crisis due to the combined effect of drought, land degradation, increased poverty, and HIV/AIDS.

[21] Universal ART coverage and extensive outreach targeted at hard to reach populations for HTC are responsible for the country's success towards the 90/90/90 2020 UNAIDS goal of ending HIV.