Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho National Health Training Center (NHTC) held 22nd graduation ceremony for 148 graduates on Friday. NHTC Director General Tjoetso Lehana informed that they are celebrating dedication, commitment and hard work of
graduates who received their certificates and diplomas in 7 programs. These are 19 candidates awarded certificates in auxiliary social work, 28 graduates in nursing assistance, 10 in Diploma in Dental
Therapy, 14 awarded Diploma in Environmental Health Sciences, 17 for Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences 17, 40 graduates in Diploma in Midwifery and 20
candidates under Diploma in Pharmacy Technology, one of which is unfortunately late. Lehana noted that even if they release these graduates to the market, the issue of unemployment is still a
great concern for the stakeholders. “Our graduates have been equipped with skills and they are ready to compete globally. To you the class of 2021, education and experience you received over the years have given you competences
that will help you address different work life challenges as they have shaped you to be better future health professionals,” she stated. She further highlighted that as they
leave NHTC armed with the values of respect, integrity and compassion, adding that they are sent to be the true ambassadors of NHTC. Also present at the celebration was
the National University of Lesotho (NUL) Vice Chancellor Professor Olusola Fajana who congratulated the class of 2021. He acknowledged NHTC for its recognition as a unique health sciences institution.
The college has been an affiliate of NUL since 1991. With relevance to this academic relationship, professor Fajana said, “It is the responsibility of our
university to assist and mentor the college for it to grow academically and guide it to fully comply with the stipulations of the higher education act.
” He added that NHTC has to be assisted to meet the program standards set by the Council of Higher Education (CHE) as
the regulatory and quality ensuring body, so that the college programs can be registered in Lesotho framework and recognized globally. “The request for
independence of NHTC from the ministry has been heard repeatedly for a long time, I plead with the Minister of Health and the Government of Lesotho to
grant autonomy to this institution of health sciences,” he noted. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Hon. Likopo Mahase indicated that the increasing number of health care professionals
will also translate into improved quality of health care service delivery to communities and all levels of care. He said over the period of learning at
NHTC, the graduates have been given knowledge, skills and attitude to be better health providers. “Expectation from the Ministry is that now you will translate
all the knowledge, awareness and understanding into action. Provision of health care to qualified professionals is the job that requires conscious people,
people who are willing to serve humanities and be selfless and dedicated to serving lives as the key drivers to their profession,” he said. Mahase showed that as future
professionals, people will be inspired by them, respect what they do, trust and appreciate their efforts. He urged them to do amazing things for them in
planning their care and treatments. “Prioritize your patients and you will be rewarded. Stay strong, work hard and appreciate all you have, after all there
are lots of people out there who will give anything to be in your position,” he stated. He congratulated them in their achievements and welcomed them to the health work force, inviting their full
dedication into addressing other health challenges such as Covid-19, HIV/AIDS, maternal and infant mortality in order to improve the Lives of individuals,
families, communities and the nation at large. “I am going to give NHTC autonomy in order to allow it to adequately fulfill its mandate as a higher learning
public institute,” he emphasized. Representing the graduates, Rorisang Mphunyetsane urged her allies to go and deliver services to the community with love and commitment through the skills they have acquired from the college.
She gave vote of thanks to NHTC administration and all employees, the government of Lesotho, Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Education and Training (MoET),
National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS), related departments and their parents for always being on their side to support their education. She noted that they are eager to see NHTC granted its autonomy like other institutions of higher learning saying this will assist and enable the fast working environment.
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