The National Health Training College (NHTC) has received a donation of anaesthetic laboratory equipment worth over M200 000.
The equipment, donated by Metropolitan Lesotho and a doctor from the Netherlands, Dr Paul Borgdorff, includes an operating table, anaesthesiamachine, monitor, transport ventilator, manikin and simulation equipment. It will be used to enhance the Anaesthetic Nursing Programme at NHTC.
Programme representative, ‘Mamojela Leuta said yesterday the equipment will significantly strengthen teaching and learning at the institution.
She noted that the equipment will further boost competency-based education, improve clinical preparedness, and contribute directly to safer anaesthesia services and better patient outcomes in the country’s health facilities.
Dr Borgdorff commended Lesotho for introducing the anaesthetic programme.
“Anaesthesia is about preserving lives during operations. We make it possible for surgeons to do their work,” he noted.
Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Director of Oral Services, DrLieketseng Petlane, said the equipment is an investment in education, patient safety, and long-term strengthening of Lesotho’s health system.
“The quality of healthcare services in any country is directly linked to the quality of training provided to its health professionals. As the Ministry of Health, we remain committed to ensuring that our training institutions are equipped to produce competent, confident and ethical healthcare workers who are prepared to meet the needs of our population,” DrPetlane indicated, thanking Dr Borgdoff and Metropolitan for their partnership.
She stressed that anaesthesia is a highly specialisedand high-risk area of practice, adding that simulation-based training is internationally recognised as the best practice approach for preparing health professionals to manage complex clinical situations safety and effectively.
Through simulations, trainees are able to practice critical skills, improve decision-making, and build confidence in a controlled environment without risk to patients, Dr Petlane added.
