The Government of Lesotho and the International Finance Corporation have signed an agreement for the latter organisation to advice Lesotho on the design and implementation of a public-private partnership to develop a new hospital in Maseru. 

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Timothy Thahane and acting executive vice president of the IFC, Mr. Assaad Jabre at IFC headquarters in Washington in the United States on July 7. 

The public-private partnership model spearheaded by IFC in Lesotho has been recognised by many government as fundamental for mobilizing expertise, and using technology to improve infrastructure and deliver services efficiently and at an affordable cost, according to Dr. Thahane. 

Mr. Jabre said governments are increasingly turning to the private sector to deliver projects in such key areas as transport, power, municipal services, health and education.  

“Public-private partnerships have become an effective way to leverage private sector experience and capital to expand access to improved infrastructure and public services,” he said. 

The new hospital will replace the existing facility, the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, now over 50 years old, and serve as a national referral hospital.

11 July 2005