FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 April 2025

The Luke Commission (TLC) expresses deep gratitude to His Majesty’s Government, Members of Parliament, Cabinet, and the Ministry of Health for the recent transfer of the E20 million from last fiscal year’s supplementary budget.

The funds are covering past operational costs—including three months of delayed salaries, PAYE, and unpaid obligations—and mark progress, though TLC remains under financial pressure. The E20 million represents partial reimbursement for services already delivered by TLC between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. These services were delivered in good faith, with documented outcomes and traceable records—even during prolonged uncertainty.

How E50 Million Delivered E450 Million in Care

Together with a previous E30 million allocation, this E20 million supplemental support—combined with PEPFAR and other global contributions totaling over E450 million—enabled life-saving healthcare across Eswatini.

Funds covered:

HIV and TB care
Snakebite treatment and antivenom
Orthopedic and joint surgeries
Inpatient and critical care
Specialty and cervical cancer treatment
Tens of thousands of outpatient visits

Thanks to TLC’s resilient staff, who endured two severe salary crises the last fiscal year.

The E20 million allocation is not new funding but reimbursement for documented services already delivered during a defined care window. TLC is thankful for this recognition.

All services were delivered by licensed, multidisciplinary teams—including locally registered and internationally verified doctors and specialists—with records managed digitally through Luvelo.

Over E450 Million in Health Value Delivered

The E50 million (E30m + E20m) investment unlocked over E450 million in care when leveraged with global partners, delivering:

124,570 outpatient visits
861 eye surgeries including 11 cornea transplants
215 orthopedic surgeries including 61 joint replacements
1,172 major operations | 1,409 minor operations
3,383 inpatient nights for 368 snakebite cases – zero deaths
2,130 inpatient admissions | 3,323 ICU nights
5,493 eyeglasses | 519 wheelchairs
3,423 dental services | 1,129 deliveries
440,484 lab tests | 15,726 X-rays

Every Emalangeni unlocked 9x its value in care. External funds were restricted to approved healthcare priorities and verified through independent audits—ensuring integrity in every transaction.

Performance-Based Partnerships and Diversification

Moving forward, TLC is transitioning to a sustainable model where free care continues for services funded through Service Level Agreements with government or donor partners. TLC remains committed to access for the most vulnerable, while expanding coverage through structured agreements.

Each SLA ensures:

Care aligned to agreed services and volumes
Visibility into what’s funded and who qualifies for free care
Co-investment in critical areas like snakebite, surgery, and critical care
Transparent reporting via Luvelo with tracked outcomes and full financial documentation

TLC is also diversifying through the EquiCare Network, including partners like Lijoye. This structure enables those who can contribute to do so legally—freeing resources to fully fund care for those who cannot.

Rebuilding with Caution, Gratitude, and Care

TLC is still recovering from five years of financial overstretch. Over 300 staff lost their jobs through layoffs, retrenchments, or non-renewals. Many who remained continue on partial pay or serve under a Potential Deferred Compensation (PDC) model.

These sacrifices were voluntary—made by staff who chose to keep serving patients through the national care funding gap. All contributions are logged through Luvelo and honored transparently, with TLC committed to restoring compensationas resources allow.

Shared Commitment, Enduring Mission

For two decades, TLC’s staff, supporters, and global partners have carried this work forward—proving that shared responsibility reaches further. Though backed globally, this work is led by a committed local team, serving Eswatini for Eswatini.

We remain deeply grateful to all who stood with us—through prayer, advocacy, and service—during one of the hardest chapters in our history.

The journey forward is shared. The mission remains: putting the patient first.

Thank you.

📞 For VIP information: 7613 8814 / 7923 8814
📣 Media: Lindani Sifundza, Comms Director, +268 7808 7200, comms@lukecommission.org