HIS Majesty King Mswati III has declared that the Hee Yeon health facility surpasses the national target for healthcare access by bringing services within five kilometres of the Nyonyane community.
Speaking during the official opening where he renamed the E50 million facility to Khanyisile Hee Yeon Clinic, the king said the establishment of the clinic directly advances government’s goal of making healthcare accessible.
The clinic was constructed by the Hee Yeon Foundation with funds sourced from donors and partners from South Korea and the United States (US).
“The establishment of this clinic, which is the second public health facility in the area, surpasses the national target by bringing care within five kilometres of the Nyonyane community,” the king said.
He noted that reducing physical distance cuts travel costs, protects household income and promotes early treatment.
The king said the country has made significant progress towards universal health coverage over the past five years. “Over the past five years, Eswatini’s Universal Health Coverage Service Index has improved dramatically, rising from 58% to approximately 70%. These achievements reflect the commitment of our health workers and the sustained backing of partners such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Global Fund,” he said.
The king further said the clinic complements national health milestones, including the fact that approximately 85% of the population now lives within eight kilometres of a health facility, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals. The new clinic also surpasses the national target by bringing care within five kilometres of the Nyonyane community.
“Healthcare is not merely a social service; it is a foundational pillar of national economic development, because a healthy population is the single greatest driver of a productive, resilient kingdom,” the king said.
His Majesty concluded that the facility represents what can be achieved when government, traditional leadership, communities, the private sector and international partners unite around a shared vision of ‘Health, Heritage and Shared Prosperity: Building Stronger Communities Together’.
His Majesty further acknowledged that about E50 million had been invested in the construction and procurement of state-of-the-art medical equipment for the facility.
“We are happy that the clinic has the state-of-the-art medical equipment and the community around Nyonyane and other neighbourhoods are benefiting handsomely from this facility,” he said. He added that he had been informed that the value of the facility is expected to increase to about E200 million following a planned expansion. The king also implored citizens to make use of the facility, and encouraged them to go for medical check-ups to ensure that they are treated for medical conditions before they worsened.
He assured the nation that he also went for regular medical check-ups even when he was not ill.
Furthermore, His Majesty tasked the minister of health to collaborate with the Hee Yeon Medical Foundation to ensure continuity and sustainability of the vision of the late Hee Yeon whose legacy has to live on. In a symbolic gesture, the king also bestowed a new Siswati name on the centre to honour its founder’s legacy and enable citizens to call it.
HYM PARTNERSHIP SAVES LIFE OF LISWATI BOY WITH RARE DISEASE
HIS Majesty King Mswati III says the Khanyisile Hee Yeon Clinic has already saved lives, most recently by facilitating life-saving specialised surgery in the Republic of Korea for a young Liswati boy.
Speaking at the official opening of the E50 million facility, the king highlighted the impact of the clinic’s collaboration even before its doors were officially opened.
The boy was born with a rare disease that causes tumours to grow in his lymph vessels. He received specialised surgery in South Korea, and the operation was successful.
“Even before today’s official opening, this partnership has saved lives, most recently facilitating specialised, life-saving surgery in the Republic of Korea for a young Liswati boy who is now recovering well,” His Majesty said.
He explained that the boy was born with a rare disease that causes tumours to grow in his lymph vessels. The Monarch said the clinic is a product of compassion and international cooperation that began in 2010, when Director Daniel Kim started organising volunteer medical specialists from Korea and the United States to serve Eswatini alongside the ministry of health.
“Following the unexpected passing of Mr Kim’s beloved sister, Hee Yeon, in 2019, the Kim family chose to transform their personal grief into a living legacy of hope.
“Rather than retaining her inheritance, they dedicated it entirely to establishing a charitable health centre in Eswatini, which is truly commendable,” he said.
On sustainability, His Majesty noted the clinic would fund its operations through specialised services.
“We were pleased to hear that the income from specialised medical services, including endoscopy, dermatology, dentistry, and other specialist treatments. This service revenue will cover the clinic’s operating costs,” he said.
The king also welcomed the clinic’s work with government since 2015. He said specialist doctors from the clinic now work in public hospitals alongside government doctors and provide clinical training and mentoring to help strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce.
TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP, MODERN HEALTHCARE UNITE
THE official opening of the HYM Clinic at Nyonyane has stood as a powerful testament to how traditional authorities and modern healthcare systems can work hand in hand to transform the lives of citizens and advance universal health coverage.
This was said by Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula during the official opening of the Hee Yeon Memorial (HYM) Clinic yesterday.
The minister expressed appreciation to the Ezulwini Royal Kraal and traditional leadership, commending them for their pivotal role in allocating the land at Nyonyane and providing steadfast support throughout the clinic’s development.
“This is a clear demonstration that traditional authority and modern health systems can work hand in hand to improve the lives of Emaswati and bring services closer to the community,” Matsebula stated.
He highlighted that the collaboration between indigenous leadership structures and contemporary health institutions is essential for bringing quality services directly into local communities.
He also noted that over the past four decades, Ezulwini has evolved into a thriving multi-sectoral hub combining tourism, corporate investment, diplomacy, retail and residential life.
He said the establishment of the HYM Clinic directly supports this growth by serving local workers, residents and surrounding rural populations reliant on the area’s economic opportunities.
Matsebula further expressed profound gratitude to His Majesty King Mswati III for his leadership in prioritising community well-being, as well as international partners from the Republic of Korea, particularly the HYM organisation, for their generous financial and operational support.
“Their contribution goes beyond bricks and mortar. It represents solidarity, compassion and a shared belief that every person deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of where they live or their economic status,” he said.
Matsebula further recognised the prime minister, Cabinet, Parliament and all health sector stakeholders for policy support towards advancing healthcare in the country, calling the facility the result of true partnership between traditional leadership, government, international friends and the community.
On the way forward, the minister confirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the clinic in meeting national standards.
“The ministry of health is committed to assisting the clinic with aligning to standards for healthcare professionals, handling of medicines and medical supplies, and utilisation of the country’s guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of patients. Since the beginning of the HYM Clinic construction, our ministry has been providing advice to the staff on expectations for primary healthcare service provision,” Matsebula said.
He further affirmed the ministry’s continued commitment to guiding the HYM Clinic in maintaining strict national standards for medical staffing, supply management and patient care guidelines to ensure high-quality service delivery for all.
HYM CLINIC TREATS OVER 4 000 PATIENTS IN FIRST SEVEN MONTHS
THE HYM Clinic has already attended to more than 4 000 patients in just seven months of operation.
This was revealed by the facility’s Executive Director Daniel Kim during the official opening attended by His Majesty King Mswati III. He said the milestone reflects the urgent need for accessible, quality healthcare in the region.
“Though we have been open for only seven months, we have already cared for more than 4 000 patients. They have come from every region of Eswatini, and even from neighbouring Mozambique and South Africa, showing that quality healthcare can bring hope beyond borders,” stated Kim.
In his speech, Kim said the HYM Clinic was built on the compassion and legacy of his late sister Seong Yeon. The facility was made possible through donors and partners from Eswatini, Korea, and the United States, including Charles Irion, Manna Mission, Professor Park and Professor Oh.
He also thanked volunteer doctors, nurses and medical specialists from Korea and the United States, who have not only treated patients at HYM Clinic but have also supported national hospitals through knowledge sharing and collaborative care.
Speaking on the clinic’s future, Kim announced a major expansion for next year. “Next year, Dr. Lee from Manna Mission USA has pledged an additional investment of approximately E30 million to establish a CT Scan Centre here,” he said.
He emphasised on expanding diagnostic services and opening new training pathways for local doctors, nurses, radiographers and other healthcare professionals.
Additionally, the executive director said the ambition is for Eswatini to become a medical hub for Southern Africa, with excellent healthcare, advanced technology and professional education accessible to all.
“This vision cannot be achieved alone. We sincerely believe that the future of healthcare in Eswatini will be built through a strong partnership between charitable institutions and the government of the kingdom.
“We respectfully ask for continued partnership and support, infrastructure development, training of local talent and the delivery of quality care to every community across the nation,” said Kim. He also reaffirmed HYM Clinic’s commitment to working alongside the ministry of health as a faithful partner, serving citizens.
“His Majesty’s presence at the opening gives hope to patients, encouragement to our staff and inspiration to everyone who believes that compassion can transform lives,” he concluded.
