LESOTHO – Lesotho’s Ministry of Health has secured vital medical commodities from the government of China, through China Aid, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) that will ensure the Government provides quality healthcare services to its citizens.

Lesotho Minister of Health Mr. Semano Sekatle received the essential health commodities at the ministry’s premises while acknowledging both the Government of China and United Nations Population Fund for the generous donations that will contribute to saving lives

The China and UNPF donated health commodities valued at US$500,000 including provision of personal protective equipment for medical workers, life-saving devices, contraceptives along with other sexual and reproductive health supplies that are important to the Ministry of Health.

In addition, the donated preventive equipment for midwives will ensure that the health workers continue with essential service delivery particularly in maternity while cutting budgetary costs for the procurement of contraceptives in the country.

However, the the Minister of Health Mr. Semano Sekatle mentioned that the ministry is still in need of medical equipment to provide Basotho with the best health services in the country.

UNFPA Representative Dr Marc Derveeuw handed over the health commodities stating that the recent donation is part of the project which was developed with the Government of China and the Ministry of Health to help the government of Lesotho at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The batch of medical assistance to Lesotho through UNFPA is the first collaboration project for UNFPA and the Embassy of China, it marks the start of future collaboration.

The Ambassador of China, Mr. Lei Kezhong said the objectives of the medical assistance are to increase the availability of medical supplies such as personal protective equipment, increase the availability of sexual and reproductive health commodities and accumulative availability of life-saving devices.

Mr. Kezhong lauded the UNFPA for its efforts and contributions in collaborating with the government of China in assisting the government of Lesotho, noting that partnerships between China and the United Nations (UN) agencies have made it possible to provide better assistance to Lesotho.

He further reassured that China will continue to stand together with Lesotho in strengthening the economic and social development of Lesotho in the betterment of the well-being of Basotho, adding that the donated health commodities to Lesotho was provided by the Government of China through UNFPA.

Meanwhile, the Government of China has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to provide life-saving food assistance to vulnerable populations in Burkina Faso affected by the combined threat of conflict, climate shocks and the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19.

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