Africa-Press – Lesotho. Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) has donated medical equipment mainly entailing Intensive Care Unit (ICU) equipment amounting to M2.7 million to the Ministry of Health (MoH).
The equipment which include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and maternal equipment will be useful to Covid-19 patients and other ordinary patients.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, CHAI Country Director Esther Mandara stated that CHAI remains committed to supporting the MoH to strengthen the health system in the country,
as well as to deliver quality health care to all Basotho. She said their mission is to save lives and reduce the burden of disease around the world. Mandara
further declared that CHAI has worked with one of the partners to mobilize critical-medical equipment and supplies. “It is with great pleasure that we are
donating a 40-foot container with substantial equipment and supplies worth M2.7 million to the MoH to support in Covid-19 response and other critical areas.
We believe that this donation will help the ministry to strengthen their efforts – prevent, control Covid-19 infection and strengthen other critical areas,” she
explained. The Country Director informed that CHAI started working with Lesotho’s MoH since 2004, to address some of the urgent health care needs of the nation.
“Overtime, we have collaboratively worked with the MoH to increase access to HIV/AIDS services,
strengthen systems, specifically, in health financing, supply chain management and human resources for health, through varied capacity building interventions.
We have also supported improvements in the national vaccine coverage including introduction of the vaccines. Currently, we are heavily involved in supporting
the country in the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine. In collaboration with other partners, we are currently supporting the MoH’s effort in reducing maternal
mortality through the M-Mama program,” she highlighted. According to Mandara, in the past 18 months, Lesotho like the rest of the world, has suffered devastating
challenges following the onset of Covid-19 pandemic. She said the effects of the pandemic have ranged from loss of lives to overall health systems stress
characterized by severe lack of lifesaving commodities like medical oxygen and protective equipment for health workers. She stated that despite the challenges,
CHAI applauds the government’s efforts in the response to safeguard Basotho from the rampant Covid-19. She added that the challenges presented by the pandemic have demonstrated even at global level that joint efforts and
togetherness in the response where everyone has a role play is the only winning strategy. She further pointed out that CHAI is proud of the collaborative partnership and relationship they share
with the MoH for the past 17 years and they are committed to continue supporting the ministry to have a healthy population living a quality and productive life.
When appreciating the equipment, the Minister of Health Hon. Semano Sekatle said that the equipment is of high value and will be very useful for Covid-19 patients and other patients.
“We are sure that this equipment will take us through this pandemic as it is of great and high value and we hope CHAI continues embracing the ministry with this kind of initiative and gesture,” Sekatle announced.
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