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HIS MAJESTY COMMENDS DR PHOOKO FOR KYS CAMPAIGN

His Majesty King Letsie III has commended the late former Minister of Health, Dr Motloheloa Phooko for the successful ‘Know Your Status’ (KYS) campaign to combat the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

His Majesty said this when passing his condolences on behalf of the Basotho nation during the official funeral of the late Dr Phooko held at Lithabaneng in Maseru on Friday.

He said the KYS campaign saved many people’s lives and that the epidemic was put under control because of Dr Phooko’s selfless efforts and policies during his time as the Minister of Health.

He however urged the government not to rest on its successes, thinking that HIV/AIDS is no more, saying the fight to curb the spread of the deadly disease must continue to uproot it.

His Majesty also commended former Prime Minister, Dr Pakalitha Mosisili for the support he provided Dr Phooko to achieve his goals as the then Minister of Health.

He, therefore, urged the deceased children to be grateful and thank God for having given them a parent of Dr Phooko’s calibre who mentored and guided them to be the parents they are today.

Also conveying his condolences, Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Tlohang Sekhamane echoed that Dr Phooko served the country with distinction, saying he personally knows it during his tenure as the Government Secretary where they worked under the same administration.

He pointed out that despite being a humble person, who spoke with a soft voice, Dr Phooko worked hard to encourage ministries to put aside 2.5 percent of their budget to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS

‘He used to fight so hard during Cabinet meetings for each government ministry to put aside 2.5 percent out of their budget allocations to fight HIV/AIDS’ he highlighted.

The Principal Chief of Thaba-Bosiu, Chief Khoabane Theko also applauded Dr Phooko for having left landmarks behind after serving the country well during his service as a cabinet minister.

Chief Theko said he remembered well that while a Minister of Public Service, Dr Phooko fought hard against ghosts employees in the public service.

He said the country needs such ministers these days more than at other times as the country is reported to have no money to carry out its developmental projects.

He added that Dr Phooko was able to calm people down with his soft voice while in the National Reforms Authority (NRA) debates when some of them were overcharged even when was in the Senate.

Dr Phooko’s wife, ’Maphooko Phooko, who was a pharmacist, died in November last year. He is survived by two children.

Giving a brief about Dr Phooko’s death, his daughter said her father battled with ill health since 2021 and was diagnosed with cancer and later developed heart and kidney problems.

She said Dr Phooko succumbed to death at his home in Lithabaneng, Maseru.

Dr Phooko’s body was wrapped with a national flag and was carried by members of the army to the Abia cemetery.

Present at the funeral included Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso, the Prime Minister, Mr. Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, former Prime Minister, Dr Pakalitha Mosisili, former Deputy Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, Senators, Members of Parliament and the general public.

Source: LENA 19/05/2023

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