The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Motloheloa Phooko visited the Mokhotlong Hospital and 'Malefiloane Clinic on Thursday 31 October,2002 with the aim of assessing situation and problems encountered in those centers. In an interview,  after his visit, the minister, admitted that there is serious shortage of staff and facilities in Mokhotlong hospital and 'Malefiloane clinic, but said he acknowledges the staff commitment and flexibility at work.

Talking about shortage of staff, Dr Phooko, said two Doctors and one dentist have on Wednesday arrived in Mokhotlong to add on the two others, who are now present at hospital. He showed that Mokhotlong is one of the four hospitals to pilot the prevention of HIV\AIDS from mother to child before the end of this year, showing that through their commitment at work this can also be successful.

The Administrator from Mokhotlong Hospital, Mr. Molefi Sekobolo, said they are lucky and proud for their hospital to be among the hospitals that will pilot prevention of HIV\AIDS from mother to child. Mr Sekobolo, said the visit of the Minister was appreciated in which he commended the minister for realizing their efforts to maintaining high health standards, despite the stressful situation they work in. He appealed to the Minister to see to it that vacancies that are in the laboratory and X-rays departments are filled as quickly as possible, and to see to it that also their hospital is provided with an ambulance.

The purpose of the visit by the Minster of Health was to assess the situation at health centers, and to find problems that the personnel encounter in their day-to-day work.
The minister held similar visits in Leribe, Quthing, Mohale's Hoek, Mafeteng
and Qacha's Nek.

31 October,2002