Africa-Press – Lesotho. The government of Lesotho has finally responded to healthcare practitioners’ grievances, providing Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) and risk allowances.
The decision was reached on Friday July 24. A fortnight ago health practitioners went on strike demanding that government provides PPE, risk allowances, six months tax break and a reviewed sick leave policy in private
and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Prime Minister DPM) Hon. Mathibeli Mokhothu mentioned that health professionals will receive risk allowances for a period of six
months dating back to the first Covid-19 case registration in Lesotho, which is May. Mokhothu committed the government that healthcare practitioners will receive risk allowances for the duration of the pandemic. The risk allowance will be allocated as such; Health care practitioners working at Isolation Facilities – M3500.00, at Christian Health Association of Lesotho (CHAL)and Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital – M3000.00.
Assistants to nurses and doctors at these isolation facilities will only receive M2000.00. PPE bought so far includes 250 000 disposable aprons, 1 200 000 surgical masks
and 34 000 face shields among others. We are still expecting to receive disposable cloths, shoe covers, head covers, sanitisers, fumigation liquids and scanners from our suppliers,” he said.
The government has also identified and arranged a facility at which the healthcare workers will be admitted and taken good care of. Healthcare workers also demanded
to be given enough time to heal if ever they have to stay in health facilities in times they are sick, without pressurising and consequently manipulating them
towards premature workmanship, and government granted the assurance that they respect their request.
The Minister of Health Hon Motlatsi Maqelepo apologised to healthcare workers as well as Basotho who did not receive services when the latter were on strike. He further pleaded with health workers to engage the ministry wherever they have
grievances, as opposed to going on strike. Coalition of Health Proffessionals Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) Dr Mojakisane Ramafikeng promised they will work as expected since their grievances have been met.
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