The Minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr. Motloheloa Phooko says Anti-Tuberculosis drugs donated to Lesotho by China have come at an opportune time when TB is on the increase in Lesotho. He said this when accepting anti-TB drugs donated by China to Lesotho during a handing over ceremony held at the Chinese Embassy in Maseru on Thursday 14 November,2002.

Dr. Phooko further pointed out that the drugs are of great value to the people of Lesotho, especially at this time when more people are vulnerable to TB infection due to rapid spread of HIV/AIDS, which diminishes the operation of the immune system.
He said the serious health problems facing the country will now subside for TB patients will immediately be healed, reducing the number of patients in hospitals and clinics.

The Minister assured the Chinese donors that the drugs will be utilized where they are mostly needed, and he also expressed appreciation of the valuable donation on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and of the entire people of Lesotho. He concluded by mentioning that the medical cooperation between the two countries has operated successfully, clarifying that the Chinese government has never hesitated to sent a badge of Doctors to assist in hospitals as and when the need arises. Missions from both countries have visited each other with the sole purpose of strengthening the bilateral understanding between the two countries.

In his handing over remarks, Charge D'Affaires of China Mr. Xu Xian explained that the donated medicine comprise 300 boxes of tablets which will serve almost 3,000 patients, valued at M2.4 million. He said through medical interactions between the two countries, China has learnt that Tuberculosis is a big enemy to Basotho and  also negatively affects the development of the country. He expressed hope that the donated medicine would contribute a great deal to Lesotho's campaign against the spread of the disease.

The anti-TB drugs are the first donation by a Chinese non-Governmental Organization,  the Advanced Association of Beneficial Course and therefore can be considered as   the opening of a new page in Lesotho-China medical cooperation.

14 November,2002.