The Rotary Club of Maloti and the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation have donated crucial medical equipment that will be distributed to various health centres, hospitals, NGOs and people with disabilities across Lesotho. The official handover ceremony, held in Maseru earlier this week, showcased the shared mission to bolster the government’s efforts in offering vital support to the healthcare sector in the country.
During his address at the event, Tšepo Ntaopane, the Head of the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation, reiterated the firm commitment of both organizations to assisting those in need within the health sector, emphasizing the significant role of collaboration in alleviating challenges faced by the nation. He underscored the Foundation’s ongoing pledge to stand in solidarity with the Rotary Club of Maloti and other Rotary Clubs, leveraging partnerships to secure medical resources from diverse donors for the benefit of the Basotho who are facing health-related challenges.
In a gesture of gratitude on behalf of the Rotary Club of Maloti, ‘Mathabo Makenete conveyed deep appreciation to the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation and PhysioNet UK for supporting this noble cause. She shed light on the surging demand for medical equipment and supplies, far surpassing the current capacity, while reiterating the club’s determination to forge alliances with various enterprises and organizations in order to extend a helping hand to the wider public.
Dr. ‘Mabatho Masupha, the Medical Superintendent at Maseru District Hospital, conveyed sincere appreciation on behalf of the Ministry of Health to the Rotary Club of Maloti for their consistent support of various healthcare initiatives. Dr. Masupha also lauded Vodacom Lesotho for its valuable support in facilitating the delivery of the medical equipment to Lesotho. She encouraged other corporate entities to follow the exemplary footsteps of ploughing back a portion of their profits into the community.
‘Mafumane Makhele, a representative of the Disability Advisory Council and affiliated with Intellectual Disability and Autism Lesotho, conveyed profound appreciation for the donation. She remarked that this contribution provided significant relief, as numerous people with disabilities encountered difficulties stemming from the absence of vital aids, including wheelchairs. Makhele highlighted that people with disabilities frequently experienced feelings of invisibility and neglect in the communities, rendering the assistance from Maloti Rotary and Vodacom Lesotho Foundation particularly impactful. She noted that the equipment would not only meet the immediate needs of those with disabilities but would also greatly improve their overall quality of life.
The donated equipment includes imperative supplies like wheelchairs, patient beds, crutches, surgical instruments, canes, walkers, rollators, incontinence supplies, among others. It has been generously provided by PhysioNet, a United Kingdom-based charity that extends support to marginalized communities globally by furnishing surplus disability equipment sourced from the UK.
The handover event was graced by representatives from the Ministry of Health, health centres, organizations supporting people with disabilities, members of the Rotary Club of Maloti and various other Rotary Clubs in the country, employees of Vodacom Lesotho, and people with disabilities from various places across the country.
