Africa-Press – Lesotho. Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF), in partnership with the Lesotho Mounted Police (LMPS), and the three regions public transport body officially launched a health awareness program at Maseru club grounds on the 10th September.
The health awareness program is aimed to support the well-being of workers within the transport sector, also to help public with free accessible and convenient health services.
The event marked the beginning of sustained engagement with the transport sector across all districts of Lesotho.
Through this initiative, AHF Lesotho will extent the provision of vital health services to men and women who work directly or indirectly in the transport industry, thereby prioritising their health and wellness.
As part of the launch, on-site health services were also offered immediately following the formal proceedings. The event also featured the signing of an honorary agreement, symbolising a shared commitment to strengthening healthcare access within the transport sector.
Talking to the newspaper, AHF Prevention Program Coordinator Metsing Tšehla said they came up with the health awareness program due to the hesitation men have in attending health facilities, especially men in the transport sector.
“Since drivers are also part of the community, so this program also serves as opportunity to improve health service provision,” said Tšehla.
He stated that they are still going to have a proper planning with the transport body on the schedule they are going to use in order to reach different places in different districts, as this is still the beginning of the program.
In conclusion, Tšehla said their expectation from the program in the next years, is to change the mindset of men regarding their health, as sometimes they take some decisions without knowing their side effects or just ignore their well-being due to lack of knowledge.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Sera Makharilele emphasised the need of extending essential health services to men and women in the public transport industry, he also highlighted the availability of free counseling services through the LMPS health services division.
“Such services are critical in addressing and preventing gender-based violence within the community,” he concluded.
Lekhutla Lekhuta as one of the attendees from the transport sector said, their main challenge with getting health services is that they do not have enough knowledge on the importance of their well-being.
“Our work does not allow us to take any time away from the rank as it is always busy, we only manage to sacrifice five to ten minutes for lunch which is already not enough, so having to go a stand on long queues before getting services can really cost our businesses,” he said.
He said it would be much better if health servants can visit their ranks educate them on the importance of their well-being and health issues in general.
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