Negotiations are at advanced stage between Ministries of Health and of Education for establishment of faculty of health professionals at the National University of Lesotho.

Health and Social Welfare Minister, Dr Mphu Ramatlapeng said this at a media briefing on Thursday at the end of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa's three day official visit in Lesotho.

Dr Ramatlapeng said the aim is to address shortage of human resource in the national health sector, adding that another plan is also to send 20 Basotho students to one of the Universities in Nigeria for medical studies each year, starting from this year.

'It is the government's responsibility to ensure that the national health sector, focusing more on primary health care improves,' she said.

The Minister stated that the Ministry is also reviewing the health personnel incentives, saying they will be provided with retention packages of about 10 percent in a bid to prevent them from leaving the country for greener pastures.

On the issue of the old Queen Elizabeth II hospital building, Dr Ramatlapeng said preparations are also at an advanced stage for the Ministry to demolish the building and perform a sod-turning ceremony of the new referral hospital in Maseru, since the present one is dilapidated.

Speaking at the same occasion, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo commended the Lesotho government for the effort it is taking towards the improvement of the health service delivery in the country.

He said during his visit, he recognised that shortage of human resource is a critical issue, saying it needs to be addressed for the development of health service in Lesotho.

The WHO Regional Director further said he identified that maternal mortality is still high in the country, and that it can be reduced through provision of the necessary equipment and increasing of staff.

Dr Sambo who arrived in the country on Tuesday this week also visited a domiciliary clinic in Maseru, Mafeteng and Scott hospitals. His visit aimed to assess health service delivery in the country.

Source: LENA 19/06/2008