Moroke Sekoboto
ECONET Telecom Lesotho (ETL) has strengthened healthcare services at Loretto Health Centre through a donation of medical equipment worth at least M400 000 to the facility’s maternity ward.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Qoaling this week, ETL Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Plaatjies, said the donation was aimed at improving healthcare delivery, particularly maternal services.
The equipment includes delivery beds, ultrasound scanners, vital signs monitors, respiratory machines and other essential medical tools.
The gesture was realised through ETL’s partnership with its sister company Sasai Econet Financial Services, and its charitable arm Higherlife Foundation.
“It is a great joy and pleasure for us as a family of Econet Telecom Lesotho, Sasai Econet Financial Services and Higherlife Foundation Lesotho to be part of this great work aimed at extending a helping hand in the improvement of health services in our country of Lesotho.
“Our presence here at Loretto Health Centre is a reflection of the care we have for our communities and consumers of our services, as well as those who provide healthcare in general,” Mr Plaatjies said.
He said healthcare facilities played a crucial role in giving expectant mothers confidence and hope, adding that the donation would help strengthen maternity services and improve care for both mothers and their babies.
“For a mother preparing to have a baby, a health centre is a special place, which gives her hope. It is a place where she has placed all her faith and hope in the hands of health service providers.
“We are proud to be at this centre to donate this equipment that will strengthen maternity services and everything related to them for the benefit of the mother and baby,” he said.
Mr Plaatjies said the equipment would address some of the facility’s pressing needs by enabling healthcare workers to conduct accurate examinations and provide appropriate treatment.
“The bed to provide treatment and support to the mother at all times, along with the machines, will help to carry out accurate examinations according to the needs of those who will be treated or provided with assistance.
“To all the employees of Loretto, we recognise your love and dedication. We know that providing the services you provide requires dedication, skills, patience and care, sometimes under very sensitive conditions,” he said.
He urged the facility’s staff to make the most of the donated equipment, saying access to appropriate medical tools was essential to improving healthcare delivery.
Mr Plaatjies also announced that ETL was signing a working agreement with St Joseph Hospital in Rome, which he said would create opportunities for Basotho medical students studying abroad to gain practical experience.
He said the partnership would benefit medical students sponsored by Higherlife Foundation through the Moshoeshoe I Scholarship Programme.
“We currently have 19 students completing our Moshoeshoe I Scholarship Programme, who are studying medicine in Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa.
“This partnership ties together our commitment to service, talent development and supporting the needs of our community. We look forward to seeing these students enter the workforce when the time is right, to pass on their skills to the Basotho community and return the favour and trust we have given them,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Loretto Health Centre, Manaleli Moremoholo, said the facility was committed to providing accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services but faced significant challenges, particularly shortages of essential medical equipment and human resources in its maternity ward.
Ms Moremoholo said the facility served an estimated population of 47 000 people, with approximately 1 000 expected pregnancies, including patients from outside its catchment area.
She said the growing demand was placing considerable pressure on the centre’s available resources and healthcare personnel.
“On behalf of the management, staff and community we serve, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to Econet Telecom Lesotho for this generous contribution and for recognising the important role that healthcare facilities play in improving the health and wellbeing of our community.
“Loretto Health Centre is committed to providing accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services. We attend to a large population estimated at 47 000, of which 1 000 are expected pregnancies, including patients from outside our catchment area. This growing demand places considerable pressure on our available resources and healthcare personnel,” she said.
Ms Moremoholo appealed to the Ministry of Health to address staffing shortages, particularly the need for registered nurse-midwives, saying the lack of personnel was limiting the facility’s capacity to provide comprehensive maternal healthcare.
“In addition, having a well-functioning maternity ward will reduce the burden on patients at nearby health facilities and hospitals, improving the healthcare system in Lesotho.
“Once again, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to ETL and Higherlife Foundation. Together, we can build a healthier community and stronger healthcare system,” she said.
Ministry of Health Director of Health Services, Dr Llang Maama, also expressed gratitude to Econet for its support.
She said the government was committed to strengthening healthcare facilities through increased investment in human resources and building the capacity of healthcare personnel.
