Lesotho receives WHO equipment to strengthen pandemic response

Lesotho has received medical and information-technology equipment from the World Health Organisation’s Pandemic Fund as part of efforts to strengthen disease surveillance and emergency response.

The equipment, valued at about US$150,000 — roughly M2.5 million — includes blood-glucose monitors, blood-pressure machines, laptops, desktop computers and related hardware and software. The support is intended to improve the country’s ability to detect public-health threats early and respond more effectively when outbreaks occur.

The assistance comes as Southern Africa prepares for heightened health risks associated with a predicted El Niño season. Health authorities have been focusing on strengthening surveillance systems and frontline response capacity so that emerging threats can be identified and contained more quickly.

WHO Representative to Lesotho Dr Innocent Nuwagira said the equipment would help health workers improve patient care while reinforcing the country’s preparedness for emergencies and infectious-disease threats.

The donation forms part of wider regional efforts to reinforce health systems and improve readiness for future epidemics and pandemics. For Lesotho, the new equipment is expected to support both routine healthcare delivery and faster detection of unusual disease patterns.

Source: SABC News

Featured image credit: @WHOLesotho / SABC News.

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