By Matṧeliso Phulane
The Queen’s National Trust Fund – through its Covid-19 Obe Lesotho Foundation – in partnership with Lesotho Millenium Development Agency (LMDA) yesterday handed over nine oxygen concentrators to the ministry of health, which will be donated to three hospitals.
The initiative is named Obe after a mythical man-eating monster in Sesotho folklore. The hospitals are St. James of Mantṧonyane in Thaba Tseka, Maloti Adventist of Mapoteng in Berea and Ntṧekhe in Mohale’s Hoek.
At the event, Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso said the foundation the equipment would come in handy in winter, a season known for respiratory health problems associated with the cold.
“It is indeed exiting that we meet at a time when Covid-19 seems to have declined. However, it is important to always stay vigilant. With the winter season upon us, it is likely Covid cases will rise. As Obe Foundation we are ready to beat that imminent situation,” She said.
The oxygen concentrator will assist Covid-19 patients to breath if their oxygen levels drop too low. The machines were provided to such hospital because they are in remote areas where there are no oxygen tanks to speedily be accessed by patients diagnosed with the coronavirus.
At the same occasion, the chief executive officer of Maloti Hospital Thabang Pulumo said the oxygen concentrators will boost the intensive care units of the hospitals’ capacity to fight Covid-19.
“On behalf of the donated hospitals we really appreciate the equipment, and we promise to take care of them,” Pulumo concluded.
