Echo Nomsa VanderWal

Echo VanderWal is a visionary leader in global health and the Executive Director of The Luke Commission (TLC), a faith-based nonprofit transforming equitable healthcare access in Eswatini and other resource-limited contexts. With deep compassion, leadership acumen, business sense, and a servant’s heart, Echo advocates at the highest levels for the health and development for the most vulnerable in Eswatini and beyond. As co-founder of TLC alongside her husband Harry, an internal medicine/pediatrics physician, Echo responded to the world’s highest HIV prevalence in Eswatini by pioneering a holistic healthcare model. Their teamwork has been instrumental in establishing TLC as a leader in innovative healthcare solutions. Since 2004, TLC has grown into a 150-acre Miracle Campus with 27 buildings and a team of 700 (97% local staff) hosting over 300,000 annual patient visits. With both mobile and fixed-site healthcare service provision, TLC offers a comprehensive continuum of care from community to facility level. The Miracle Campus Hospital is a national referral hospital providing primary through tertiary care. TLC’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable populations has catalyzed transformative projects, including Africa’s largest PSA oxygen plant and the Luvelo digital health ecosystem, bridging care gaps for underserved populations. TLC’s innovations have gained international recognition for addressing systemic healthcare challenges in low-resource settings. In 2024, TLC and its initiatives received accolades, including the Africa Supply Chain Excellence Grand Prize for Luvelo and the Eswatini Customer Service Excellence Award for Hospital of the Year, highlighting a commitment to excellence and innovation in healthcare. Echo’s dedication extends beyond operations to passionate advocacy for equitable healthcare access, aligning technology and innovation with local community needs. One of TLC’s defining moments was the launch of Eswatini's first oxygen production plant during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The oxygen plant saved thousands of lives and reduced Eswatini’s COVID-19 case fatality rate by over 50% as TLC cared for 90% of Eswatini’s COVID ICU patients. Harry and Echo live in Eswatini with their seven children and one grandson, embodying their lifelong commitment to the country and its people. Recognized internationally for her integrity, transparency, and commitment to selflessness, Echo is a thought leader shaping the future of public health. Looking ahead, her vision includes scaling TLC’s impact globally through cross-sector collaborations and fostering scalable innovations for low-resource settings.