The Minister of Health, Mr. Nkaku Kabi says his ministry has identified Ha-Rapokolana , Likalaneng as a place to establish an Isolation Centre to beef-up the country’s preparedness to control Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Mr. Kabi was addressing the media at the briefing held in Maseru on Monday, saying identification of the Centre follows the training of two doctors and 10 nurses to attend to patients that will test positive to COVID-19 symptoms.
He disclosed that following consultations with the development partners to measure the country’s preparedness since the Coronavirus outbreak just outside the borders; the World Bank has pledged a support to acquire necessary equipment to capacitate the Rapokolana Isolation Centre and others used for screening travelers at the ports of entry countrywide.
He added that the Chinese Embassy in Lesotho has also pledged support by sharing strategies of controlling corona virus disease.
Minister Kabi further stressed that while his Ministry has been advocating for the not 100 percent safe self-isolation of suspects from affected areas due to lack of the necessary infrastructure, there is need for fully equipped isolation facilities so that the infected are adequately attended to when their immunity deteriorates.
In conclusion, the Minister reassured the nation of his Ministry’s readiness amid the changing patterns of the disease since all people from affected areas are already being isolated for 14 days.
Though Rapokolana Isolation Centre has been identified as an ideal place to house the patients, the decision is yet to be proceeded to Cabinet on Tuesday for approval.
Meanwhile, it was last Friday when embargo recommendations were made regarding foreign travel but exceptional cases such as ones of patients going for medical check-ups and treatment in Bloemfontein and India will be prioritized.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 100, 000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported, claiming over 4,000 lives.
Source: LENA 09/03/2020