Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane says it is important to invest in good health as that builds a resilient nation. This, he said during the launch of the Immunisation Programme held in Maseru on Thursday.
In his keynote address, the Prime Minister said it is important to champion the value of a strong immunisation programme to the existence of mankind to remind themselves that immunisation is the first line of defence against infectious diseases.
”We, therefore, have no other choice except to commit ourselves individually and collectively to the universal immunisation slogan, ‘Leave No One Behind With Immunisation’,” he said.
He stressed that to show the genuine commitment of a country and leadership, they will be judged by the ability to achieve four major universal goals of a solid immunisation programme thus; the ability to introduce the scale-up vaccination programmes, the ability to strengthen the health system to increase equity in immunisation, ability to improve the sustainability of immunisation programmes, and the ability to ensure healthy markets for vaccines and related products.
Mr. Matekane noted that to achieve this, they need to engage and build capacity with all the leaders in this country to support, promote and account for improved Primary Health Care outcomes including improved immunisation.
He appealed to the Ministry of Health to go out and train the leadership of the country at all levels to be part of the health system. ”Train all leaders including myself, media, and civil society to understand health, own and account for improved health outcomes.
I challenge you (the ministry) to practice the ethos of Primary Health Care and health promotion because the solution does not lie in only addressing the clinical aspects of health,” said the Prime Minister.
He concluded that the solution to better health in Lesotho also lies in addressing other determinants of health including socio-economic issues that may affect health outcomes.
The Minister of Health, Mr. Selibe Mochoboroane shared the same sentiments that for Lesotho to have a better health system, all parties must be engaged to make the programme a success.
He said if the programme can be well administered, Lesotho will see positive results of children growing up with no health challenges. He said despite the slow progress in reaching Lesotho’s Sustainable Development Goals in health, the Ministry is committed to making sure that immunisation becomes a success.
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