Long-term shortage of oxygen in the country has led to several Basotho deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a result, the government of Lesotho took to task to respond to the need as more variants posed a threat to life. In its response, the government constructed a Southern Regional Liquid Oxygen Hub and Cylinder Filling.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane said this during the launch of the Hub on Wednesday.
In his remarks, Mr. Matekane thanked all the development partners who contributed positively towards the construction of the facility for the benefit of the nation.
He informed the attendees that more facilities of this nature will be constructed in the Northern region to provide members of the community with the same health services after this one, calling on development partners to continue with their support for the healthy living of the nation.
Moreover, he called on the Mafeteng Regional Hospital Management to work together with local authorities including members of the community to ensure the security of the equipment intended to save lives of the nation.
The World Health Organization Representative, Dr Richard Banda said medical oxygen is an essential treatment for respiratory illness, chronic conditions, surgery and trauma care, affordable and sustainable access to oxygen has been a growing challenge in many countries including Lesotho.
Dr Banda highlighted that oxygen is an indispensable lifesaving commodity for vulnerable groups including the elderly, pregnant women and new-borns who regularly require oxygen therapy, saying despite being an essential medicine, many factors including cost, management, supply, human resources and safety can all impede access to oxygen therapy.
The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) Country Director, Ester Mandara said their mandate is to save lives and for nearly two decades CHAI has been a steadfast supporter and implementing partner for the Ministry of Health in Lesotho tirelessly working towards this noble cause.
She indicated that their journey started in January 2004 and since then they have been on the fourth front lines shoulder to shoulder with the ministry addressing the nation’s most pressing health challenges, saying from the HIV and AIDS epidemic to tuberculosis, vaccine service delivery and the recent trials of the COVID19 pandemic CHAI has been unwavering in commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Basotho nation.
The District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr Mpho Seleke thanked the donor for the important facility intended to save lives of the nation, saying they registered seventy- seven deaths because of a shortage of oxygen.
Dr Seleke said the equipment will help in serving the most need of providing patients with oxygen where necessary, saying their long cry has been heard and they pledged to continue working hard to provide the nation with quality health services.
On the other hand, the Member of Parliament Mafeteng Constituency Mr. Moeketsi Motšoane thanked the government through the Ministry of Health for constructing the important in the Southern Region in particular Mafeteng, saying even though it is going to serve the southern region and people to benefit are the ones from Mafeteng.
Mr. Motšoane said the nation suffered a long time during COVID-19 where the majority died as a result of a shortage of oxygen, while others died as a result of doctors who were not doing their job complaining of salary increments.
He called on the government of Lesotho to ensure the reopening of a factory in the district which was closed for a long time while the majority of people were left hungry but having the building which is just a white elephant.
The newly appointed District Administer for Mafeteng Mr. Bonang Moranye on behalf of the Mafeteng community thanked the government of Lesotho for supporting the nation with important equipment needed for a long time.
Mr. Moranye said the facility is very helpful when the patient is unable to breathe, confirming that the majority of Basotho has died because of a shortage of oxygen and said he believed that from now onwards no more deaths.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Principal Chief of Likhoele, Chief Lerotholi Seeiso said the provision of quality health services of this nature symbolised growth in politics, commending the Prime Minister for providing the nation with this important facility to prevent several patients from dying because of shortage of oxygen.
Chief Lerotholi urged all parliamentarians to represent the nation at the parliament and put aside their interests for the improvement of the country.
In conclusion, he congratulated all health professionals serving at the Mafeteng Regional Hospital for saving the lives of the patients and told them that the presence of the equipment would help them to excel.
The construction Southern Regional Liquid Oxygen Hub and Cylinder Filling has been funded by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Source: LENA 22/11/23
