The Vice Chairman and Head of the China-Africa Friendship Group, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and his entourage toured the newly re-constructed Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Maseru on Tuesday.

Mr. Mu Hong was guided on this tour by SEG Shanghai Construction Group – Queen II Project Manager, Mr. Liege Shi who introduced Mr. Hong to some sections within the modern hospital thus the theatre, the medical hall, children’s wards as well as both public and private ICU.

The project which was meant to take three years has been extended to a year and will now be completed on April 28, 2024 and be handed over to the government, the Agency established during the tour.

The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Moliehi Ntene appreciated the support of China to the government of Lesotho, saying the availability of modern facilities at the hospital will go a long way in ensuring access to quality health services for Basotho.

“We are also looking forward to an exchange programme, whereby Basotho doctors will be learning from their counterparts in China for enhancement of work,” she said.

Mr. Hong who also toured the Manthabiseng Convention Centre, reaffirmed China’s commitment to helping Lesotho realise its goals as well as prioritising quality health services among others.

He added that cooperation mechanisms for hospitals remain key if Lesotho is to achieve its goals, particularly in the area of health, urging for more collaboration.

Mr. Mu Hong and his team arrived on Monday and will leave the country on Wednesday. Upon his arrival, he paid courtesy calls upon various stakeholders: Prime Minister, President of the Senate and Speaker of the National Assembly to mention a few.

Present at the tour included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese Embassy Lesotho and those from other Ministries.

Source: LENA 19/12/2023