Welcome To The Mountain Kingdom

+266 8001 0100

USAID, JHPIEGO DONATES AMBULANCES

As part of continuing support to the Lesotho Government, USAID and Jhpiego handed over two new ambulances to Berea Government Hospital on Friday.

When receiving the ambulances, the Minister of Health, Mr. Selibe Mochoboroane said as much as COVID-19 was a devastation to the country’s health system, it has also exposed systems strengths and weaknesses.

Mr. Mochoboroane said implementing partners, particularly Jhpiego has been there from the beginning of the pandemic, showing support in areas which are clinical and preventive care, capacity building of human resources, nurses, doctors, data clerks, support staff, procurement of medical equipment and transportation of patients.

He said this support is significant and without it the country would not be able to control the pandemic, saying the strategies that were put in place and supported by Jhpiego during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign will forever remain important.

He added that the country no longer experiences severe illness and deaths.

He remarked that though the Berea Government Hospital had some gaps when was identified as the National Treatment Center for COVID-19, today all such issues are history because of their partnership support.

Mr. Mochoboroane, therefore, pleaded with the hospital management to ensure that the infrastructure and the equipment they have received will be used for intended purposes.

USAID Country Director, Dr Smita Kumar remarked that for the past two years, healthcare workers joined the struggle to combat COVID-19, therefore the initiative to hand over ambulances is meant to respond to emergencies such as COVID-19 and others.

Dr Kumar said USAID and other development partners under the leadership of the government of Lesotho have supported COVID-19 response initiatives in a manner that will strengthen the healthcare system.

She pointed out that they have supported many things like emergency treat out for children and adults, procurement of medication for COVID-19, oxygen, referrals and a high level of care.

Dr Kumar said the work of USAID and development partners does not end with Berea, but through the partnership with the government, they are extending support in investment to other hospitals to enable people from all walks of life to access life-saving health care including COVID-19.

She said they are proud to hand over such state of art ambulances through their implementing partners, Jhpiego and others, adding that they will continue to work with the Ministry of Health for the efficient use of ambulances to develop Lesotho.

Sharing the same sentiments, Jhpiego Country Director, Dr Mahachi Nyikadzino said this is a critical moment for them because Jhpiego has been a partner to the Ministry of Health supporting many interventions for the past 10 years in programmes like Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC).

Dr Nyikadzino said when COVID-19 struck, they were called in to utilize the resources they have including the staff in support of the COVID-19 response.

He said over the last two years they have been working in Berea and Mafeteng, supporting case management and through the funding from USAID they initiated vaccination and roll out of COVAX in four districts.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative to Lesotho, Dr Richard Banda said they commend the support from the development partners, USAID and Jhpiego for their effective response from the beginning of the pandemic.

Dr Banda said COVID-19 is not yet over because they are hearing of emerging cases therefore Lesotho is at risk of COVID-19 and with the support, it will strengthen the country to prepare for emergencies in future.

The Director-General Health Services, Dr ‘Nyane Letsie said during the hard times, Berea Government Hospital was identified as the COVID-19 treatment centre and most of its people were against the idea, but they ended up reaching a common understanding.

Dr Letsie said they engaged in talks with other partners in health such as USAID and Jhpiego regarding the issue of COVID-19 prevention and treatment, but transportation of COVID-19 patients emerged as a big concern.

She highlighted that they have been given ambulances as part of the COVID-19 response, adding that Berea Government Hospital has an oxygen plant with the support of other partners.

Berea Hospital District Medical Officer, Dr Liketso Mochochoko said they are happy and feel honoured for these presented.

During the same occasion, USAID and Jhpiego further handed over the Blood Gas Analyzer to the hospital.

Source: LENA 26/11/2022

Share:

Recent Posts

Follow Us