Our Reporter
Lesotho Boston Health Alliance: The United State (US) Ambassador to Lesotho, Maria Brewer, said the medical school opening was a sign that the Lesotho government cared about its citizen’s health. THE Lesotho government in partnership with the American Embassy have officially launched facilities for the Postgraduate School of Family Medicine.
The launch ceremony was held in Hlotse, Leribe district last Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Nthomeng Majara, told guests during the launch that centre indicated Lesotho’s efforts towards improving primary health care, adding that the Family Medicine Programme had brought hope to the nation and the health care professionals, particularly medical doctors.
Justice Majara said she was aware and encouraged that the main goal of the programme was aligned with one of the current government priority areas like strengthening primary healthcare through building doctors’, clinicians’ and other professionals’ capacity.
She said the launch of the centre was proof that they would attain soon their desired goal of having an improved health sector across the country.
Health minister, Selibe Mochoboroane, said the launch of the centre was a notable achievement by his ministry.
“You would recall that during my budget speech, I said the priority was strengthening primary healthcare, the second was building a cancer hospital, the third was strengthening Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH), Lesotho’s only referral hospital, and lastly, the establishment of the medical school,” Mochoboroane said.
Speaking at the same event, US Ambassador, Maria Brewer, said the opening of the medical school was a sign that the Lesotho government cared about its citizen’s health.
The government’s dedication, hard work and vision made it possible, she said, noting that they were collaborating for a healthier future for Lesotho.
The school was not only a physical structure but a symbol of their shared commitment to the health and well-being of Basotho, she said noting that they would continue supporting Lesotho in similar development programmes.
The introduction of Lesotho Boston Health Alliance (LeBoHa) is the result of the long-term relationship between Lesotho and the United States.
Boston University School of Medicine, Professor, Brain Jack, said with no medical school, the government paid fees for more than 10 students annually to study medicine outside the country but most of such students seldom returned.
Prof Jack said when they started in 2004 there were 130 doctors in Lesotho. Only 30 were Basotho and all of them were in Maseru. This led him to convince some younger doctors who were in school in South Africa and elsewhere about returning to Lesotho.
The doctors he engaged lamented being posted to remote areas with no support, with neither opportunities for teaching nor research and dysfunctional clinics. This is what inspired the school, he said.
He said they were proud to assist the health ministry in strengthening the healthcare system and developing programmes to bolster its workforce.
LeBoHa offers a four-year postgraduate programme in Family Medicine and a two-year internship programme. One hundred and seventy-seven medical doctors have enrolled since inception and 112 have so far graduated. All the graduates are still working in Lesotho. – APO