MCA hands over dormitories, staff houses

MASERU — The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Lesotho on Tuesday handed over new National Health Training College (NHTC) dormitories and staff houses to the Ministry of Health.

Six staffers will be housed in the new facility while the dormitories have the capacity to house 120 student nurses, pharmacy and lab technicians.

Speaking at the hand-over ceremony the MCA health infrastructure coordinator, Kananelo Malahleha, said the project was part of the programmes set to develop health facilities in Lesotho.

“We are happy for a job well done by the contractor and all the stakeholders involved in developing this facility.

“We hope that the developments will serve their intended objectives,” Malahleha said.

The Ministry of Health director of estate management unit, Marathane Thlomola, said the additional dormitories will ensure adequate housing for students and employees.

“We thank the Millennium Challenge Account for funding this project,” Malahleha said.

The project manager and engineer Francios Joubert said they were happy with how the project has come up.

“The planning was very thorough. The result is a facility that everybody can be proud of,” Joubert said.

The buildings are energy efficient, Joubert said.

Solar sheets fitted on the roofs trap energy to heat up the water.

In the possible event that water supply may be cut, backup water tanks have been provided for at least two days’ supply.

“Wasco (Water Supply Company) has played a pivotal role in making this project a success by building a sewer line,” added Joubert.

According to the MCA Lesotho website the aim of the project is to retain human resources in the health sector.

“The human resources situation has deteriorated over the past decade in all the countries of southern Africa. Lesotho has undertaken a number of initiatives to reverse this trend.

“This programme activity supports efforts to increase the number of graduates from nursing and allied health (for example, pharmacy and lab technicians) programmes by developing additional dormitories and staff residences at Lesotho’s National Health Training College.

“Other inputs, discussed in the health systems strengthening activity section . . . will strengthen tutor and mentoring capacities,” it said.