It has emerged that the government has been facing a severe shortage of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists for some time, which has in some instances led to misdiagnosis of patients, disability, and death.
Actually, health professionals this week put the blame squarely on the ministry of health, which they accused of delays in appointing specialists or renewing contracts of those employed by the government.
So grim is the situation that the government only has two ENT specialists, according to the Lesotho Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Council.
What is particularly disturbing about this whole saga is that the ministry of health appears to be rather blasé about this issue. The ministry is not demonstrating any interest and willingness to address the problem.
In other words, the government is putting people’s lives in jeopardy and does not seem to give two hoots about it. By so doing, the government is violating the people’s right to healthcare.
The right to health for all people means that everyone should have access to the health services they need, when and where they need them, without suffering financial hardship. No one should get sick and die just because they are poor, or because they cannot access the health services they need.
The right to health encompasses not just the absence of disease or infirmity but “complete physical, mental and social well-being”. It includes access to both timely and appropriate healthcare as well as the underlying social and economic determinants of health.
The government should treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.
