An agreement between the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank and the Government of Lesotho will see a relief hospital being built at Lepereng towards the end of the year or at the beginning of 2007. 

The Minister of Health and Social welfare, Dr Motloheloa Phooko announced this in an interview with a local newspaper. An ambitious programme to revive the country’s medical services will begin this year, he said. 

Dr Phooko revealed that despite the brain drain of health professionals, several previously working outside the country have promised to come back and help out at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital. Three have actually arrived back home. 

A nurse assistant training programme has been started at Tšakholo, with plans to open another in the Qacha’s Nek district soon. The National Health Training Centre (NHTC) has also reintroduced subjects in its curriculum that will help nurses have the capacity to manage clinics at the village level, the Minister said.

16 January 2006