The Christian Health Association of Lesotho (CHAL) has revealed that its long-standing partnership with the government is now under threat due to mounting challenges over the past decade.
According to the executive director of CHAL secretariat,’Makatleho Mohasi, unless the government urgently restores this partnership through meaningful dialogue and honouring its financial and governance obligations, the non-governmental organisation can no longer guarantee continued provision of health services in the country.
Since the formalisation of the partnership signed in 2007, CHAL has worked hand in hand with the Ministry of Health to ensure that essential health services reach all Basotho, regardless of where they live.
Mohasi said the agreement was now shaky owing to government delays and unfavourable patterns in disbursement or resources.
Other major challenges include stagnant staffing levels despite rising patient numbers and disease burden, which result in staff burnout, attrition and compromised care.
Against this background, CHAL is appealing to the government to honour the prescripts of the current Memorandum of Understanding while the two parties review it.
The organisation further requests the government to review its recent decision of purchasing drugs in-kind for its facilities.
It also wants the government to provide the full disbursement as per the agreement, and to expedite disbursement of the first quarter tranche to alleviate financial shortfalls at CHAL facilities.
“We would like to inform staff at all CHAL facilities and the nation at large that we are working with our proprietors to engage with the government on thesematters,” Mohasi said.
