Africa-Press – Lesotho. The United Nations (UN) together with the UN Technology Bank and the World Bank donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnostics and
patient management equipment worth M8.4 million to the Ministry of Health (MoH) on Tuesday to support the country in the fight against COVID-19. According
to the UN Resident Coordinator in Lesotho Salvator Niyonzima the increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases calls for more critical care equipment in
hospitals. He stated that the COVID-19 pandemic represents the most formidable challenge to human life and livelihood, therefore urged people to work together
to respond to the health crisis. “No ministry or agency or donor can fight COVID-19 alone. These essential items will help equip healthcare workers and
communities to protect themselves while caring for those affected by COVID-19. The UN stands ready to support the Government in its efforts to defeat the epidemic, including supporting
additional procurement through the Global COVID-19 Supply Portal allowing the country to continue to procure essential supplies,” he added. Meanwhile the National COVID-19 Secretariat (NACOSEC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thabo
Khasipe thanked the UN family for their support. Khasipe added that for them to win against the pandemic, they need any form of partnership including provision
of PPE, physical resources, human resources and solidarity. He also mentioned that this equipment comes at a crucial time when the country is faced with a shortage
of PPE, increasing number of Basotho testing positive for COVID-19, and the rising death rate. “This donation will go a long way in ensuring that our front-line workers, whom we
all depend on, work under safe conditions, as they continue to step directly into COVID-19’s path to support the afflicted and help curb the spread of the
virus. ”. Speaking on behalf of the government of Lesotho the Minister of Health, Hon. Motlatsi Maqelepo thanked the UN and the World Bank for their ongoing support and noted that the
cooperation between the Government and development partners in procuring the equipment has been exemplary. “On behalf of the Government of Lesotho and the Ministry of Health, I would like to
thank all partners involved in getting this essential equipment here today. COVID-19 requires all actors to work together in order to tackle all the challenges this pandemic presents.
Today’s ceremony is a demonstration of that much needed cooperation, which I hope will continue into the future. Our biggest challenge is in building a resilient health system that is able to
withstand shocks such as COVID- I call on all partners to work with the Government and my Ministry in building such a system,” he said. Since Lesotho recorded its COVID-19 first case in May 2020, the country has, to date, registered 1,051 cases with 526 recoveries and 31 deaths.
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