LESOTHO TAKES PART IN REGIONAL HEALTH MEETING

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Motloheloa Phooko and his delegation left Lesotho on Monday 07 October,2002 for the 52nd Session of the Regional Committee for Africa to be held in Harare, Zimbabwe from Tuesday 08 October,2002 to Saturday this week.

The Principal Health Educator, Mrs. 'Mamotena Thibeli said the purpose of this meeting, which is an annual event is to bring together health officials from the World Health Organisation (WHO) member states in Africa to share common health problems and together strategise solutions. She said the priority will be given to regional strategy for immunizations during 2003-2005, environmental health, poverty and health, implementation of the health sector reforms, human resource development, health sector response to the dual epidemic of tuberculosis and HIV\AIDS as well as health financing.

Mrs. Thibeli said the meeting will also discuss cardio vascular diseases in depth through risk-factor reduction, adding that regional anti-smoking and anti-drugs strategies will be on the spotlight. The meeting is an annual event held with the objective of strategising policies to find solutions for health problems in the African continent.    

The Lesotho delegation comprises the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Mahali Lebesa, the Director General of Health Services, Dr Thabelo Ramatlapeng, Head of Family Health Division, Dr 'Nyane Letsie and the Chief Health Inspector Mr Nkuebe Theko.

07 October,2002