‘Mantṧali Phakoana
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged the government to prioritise investment in primary health care.
Speaking at the launch of the Integrated Health Service Delivery programme in Thaba-Tseka this week, WHO representative to Lesotho, Richard Banda said that everyone must have access to high-quality integrated services for their health and that of their families and communities.
“Vulnerable groups and marginalised populations should not lack access to life-saving health services,” he noted.
He added that more investment was needed in scaling up community engagement as a key component of people-centered health systems, and ensuring good health systems are rooted in the communities they serve.
“Good health systems focus not only on preventing and treating disease and illness but also on helping to improve well-being and quality of life,” Banda noted.
He reiterated that WHO strongly believe in empowering communities and ensuring their meaningful engagement in decision making.
In addition, Banda called on health facilities to strengthen their relationships with local communities by routinely providing a level of service that satisfies patients.
Health workers must also be able to educate their communities to maintain good health practices to avoid illness.
“The success of integrated services will also require good working conditions and availability of motivated skilled health workers providing quality people-centred care,” Banda said.
He further stated that WHO and its partners were working alongside the government to address health system bottlenecks that impede access to quality integrated health services.
“WHO is committed to working with the government and other partners to implement our shared commitments to universal health care and stronger health systems for everyone. Investing in health is imperative for economic growth and poverty reduction.
“Good health will help lift many people from poverty so that they may lead productive lives with dignity, equity, and opportunity,” he added.
Speaking at the same occasion, the minister of health, Selibe Mochoboroane, said that the integrated health services programme is aimed at improving health service delivery in the country.
“Health services delivery has to be strengthened at the community level and our hospitals will not be congested. Continuous trips to hospitals symbolise our failure to do our job in communities,” Mochoboroane said.
He hailed WHO for providing guidelines on how to use available resources to implement the programme.
