08/12/2025
This morning, the Health Promotion Unit, in partnership with Unicef Eswatini, officially launched the Childhood Lead Poisoning Awareness Campaign.
Dr. Shabangu, Senior Medical Officer (Public Health), reminded us that lead is a toxic metal commonly found in our environment. Even with few or no visible symptoms, lead exposure can silently harm a child’s development, affecting learning ability, school performance, and how well they follow instructions.
Lead may be present in household paint, contaminated water, industrial waste, some cosmetics, and certain traditional herbs. UNICEF and the Health Promotion Unit underscored the vital role of the media in spreading prevention messages and committed to expanding innovative, creative approaches, including arts-based communication, to protect children.
Protecting children from lead exposure is key to ensuring healthy growth and development.