The Minister of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, has announced that the In-Patient Client Management Information System (CMIS) has been successfully rolled out to over 80% of healthcare facilities across the kingdom and is currently functioning optimally.
Matsebula disclosed this during the official handover of CMIS tools by the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT), Savannah Maziya, which took place at the Cooper Centre in Mbabane.
Matsebula highlighted the role of digital infrastructure in improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes in the kingdom.
“The CMIS tools, handed over today, will significantly benefit both the Ministry’s Strategic Information Department and the patients who depend on improved healthcare systems. As we gather here to receive this much-needed equipment and update the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) on the progress of our digital health systems, I want to emphasize that this is not the first support we have received from ESCCOM,” he said.
Matsebula noted that ESCCOM had previously partnered with the Ministry of Health to digitize outreach services, enabling real-time transmission of data from mobile outreach sites.
This support has also extended to the rollout of CMIS to over 200 health facilities across all regions of Eswatini, greatly improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery. He further acknowledged the critical support provided by ESCCOM in strengthening network infrastructure in health facilities, creating an enabling environment for optimal CMIS performance.
“This aid from ESCCOM has allowed healthcare providers to access comprehensive client medical histories, thereby improving service delivery and clinical decision-making. Given the widespread availability of effective treatment services, linking people to care and treatment remains a global priority,” he said.
However, the Minister stressed the need to reduce the loss of patients between diagnosis and treatment initiation. He said that strengthening the clinical cascade and client management is where technology plays a vital role. Matsebula emphasized the need to go beyond community-based disease diagnosis to ensure proper linkage to care and treatment.
“Eswatini has made significant progress in decentralizing healthcare to the community level, but challenges remain in ensuring effective follow-through. In response to this need, the Ministry’s Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) unit developed the facility-based CMIS and expanded it with a CMIS-plus version, thanks to ESCCOM’s continued support. This version is tailored for community-level use and aims to improve referrals, linkage to care, and retention in treatment programs,” he said.
According to Matsebula, the CMIS-plus initiative is expected to deliver several key outcomes, including:
- Improved documentation of community-based healthcare services
- Enhanced linkage of individuals to care and treatment
- Increased adherence to treatment through community-based differentiated care models
- Improved retention rates in care and treatment programs
Matsebula also extended heartfelt gratitude to ESCCOM and other development partners for their sustained technical and material support, which has facilitated the procurement of essential digital equipment now in use at key healthcare facilities and palliative care centers such as Hospice at Home, Hope House, and Cheshire Home.
“This support has enabled the procurement of essential equipment now in use at health facilities and palliative care centers. Your efforts have significantly enhanced service delivery since the introduction of CMIS in 2023,” he said. “As we move toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we are committed to continuing this vital partnership,” he added.
The Minister also acknowledged the collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology, which facilitated the partnership with ESCCOM.
“Thank you once again for your support and for making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve,” Matsebula concluded.