MTN Eswatini has invested E2.2 million into the 2026 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, a move that has significantly expanded access to healthcare services in remote communities while strengthening the country’s blood donation infrastructure.
The campaign, which focused on equitable healthcare access, saw MTN and its partners travel to various parts of the country, providing health services, awareness programmes and digital health solutions aimed at transforming healthcare delivery.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the World Blood Donor Day commemoration and the MTN 21 Days of Y’ello Care blood donation drive at Coronation Park, MTN acting Chief Executive Officer Jerry Soko said the company was encouraged by the level of commitment shown by partners who joined efforts to improve healthcare services across the country.
Soko said this year’s campaign demonstrated that meaningful change could only be achieved through collaboration, noting that the initiative had succeeded in reaching some of the country’s most remote communities.
“The impact we have achieved this year has been made possible because various partners came together with one common goal of improving the health and wellbeing of Emaswati,” he said.
Soko said the blood donation drive served as a powerful reminder that saving lives requires collective action.
“Impact is never achieved alone; it is built through collaboration,” he said. He noted that through the 21 Days of Y’ello Care initiative, MTN partnered with the Eswatini National Blood Transfusion Service to conduct blood donation campaigns in nine locations across the country.
The campaign focused on educating communities about the importance of blood donation while collecting much-needed blood supplies for patients in hospitals.
The initiative also received support from several stakeholders who contributed both financially and through awareness campaigns. Eswatini TV partnered with MTN to amplify awareness and mobilise citizens to participate in the blood donation exercise, while Magagula Hlophe Attorneys supported the campaign through financial contributions and advocacy.
Soko revealed that the partners collectively contributed E300 000 towards strengthening the country’s Blood Bank infrastructure. MTN contributed E150 000, while 8Bet donated E100 000. Eswatini TV added E30 000 and Magagula Hlophe Attorneys contributed E20 000.
The funds were directed towards purchasing critical Blood Bank equipment aimed at improving service delivery and enhancing the country’s emergency response capacity.
As part of the handover, stakeholders donated eight phlebotomy beds, two donation gazebos and 500 T-shirts for blood donation champions.
Soko said the equipment would improve the Blood Bank’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies and ensure that lifesaving blood supplies remain available to patients in need.
“This is what it means to be a digital life partner—not only connecting people, but caring for life itself,” he said.
He added that MTN’s collaboration with healthcare institutions demonstrated how private sector investment could strengthen national healthcare systems and provide hope to communities.
Beyond healthcare support, Soko highlighted the role of digital health solutions introduced during the campaign. He said the innovations promoted during the 21 Days of Y’ello Care had the potential to create employment opportunities, improve healthcare services and stimulate economic growth, particularly among young people.
According to Soko, digital transformation within the health sector could help bridge service gaps, improve access to information and create new opportunities for entrepreneurship.
He urged stakeholders to continue working together to address healthcare challenges facing the country.
“When we collaborate, we do not just make a difference; we save lives,” he said.
He also encouraged Emaswati to continue donating blood, describing blood donation as one of the simplest but most powerful ways of giving hope and restoring life.
