Regional Director Dr. Onabanjo handed over Mobile Clinic in Lesotho

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund Regional Director for East and Southern Africa Regional Office Dr Jullita Onabanjo handed over a mobile clinic to the Honourable Minister of Health Dr ‘Molotsi Monyamane at the Ministry of Health Head-quarters, Maseru, on 19 Feb 2016. The purpose of this partnership is to respond to the need of a number of women working in garment factory whose access to quality Sexual, reproductive health and HIV prevention service is limited.

The mobile clinic is a client oriented strategy which aim to make quality integrated health service closer to the beneficiaries developed under the Joint UNFPA/UNAIDS SRH/HIV prevention services linkages Programme through the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and HIV Linkages project which is funded by the European Union, the Governments of Sweden and Norway and coordinated by UNFPA.

In her address the Regional Director expressed appreciation to the Government o Lesotho and the donor community particularly the European Union and the Governments of Sweden and Norway for their financial support to the Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Linkages project, which has provided the means to acquire the mobile clinic.

“It is truly an honour to have this opportunity to present the Ministry of Health with this mobile clinic which we expect, will contribute to strengthening access to sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention services across the country, because this is at the heart of what UNFPA does,” said the Regional Director.

Dr Onabanjo also empathized with the government and people of Lesotho regarding the terrible drought brought about by El Nino, which is also affecting several countries across the Eastern and Southern Africa region. “UNFPA will continue to support the countries of this region in addressing the challenges brought about by El Nino, and we have been actively compiling data on the impact of the drought, and particularly the effects on women and girls, pregnant and lactating mothers, in order to better inform strategic responses across the region. We can only hope that this crisis will soon come to an end,” she added.

After receiving the vehicle, the Minister of Health Dr ‘Molotsi Monyamane expressed gratitude to UNFPA for the vehicle. He commended the Maputsoe SDA clinic for excellence, efficiency and commitment which has resulted in donation of the mobile clinic. He also expressed hope that the clinic will benefit the most vulnerable of the women, especially the factory workers in Maputsoe. “I am happy that the Chief of Maputsoe is present during this handing over ceremony and this gives me confidence that mobile clinic will be put to good use,” he added.

Giving a vote of thanks, the Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Lesotho (CHAL) Mrs Lebohang Mothae thanked UNFPA and the Ministry of Health for the vehicle and gave assurance that it will be used to serve the intended beneficiaries. “Amidst all the challenges we are faced with we always pride ourselves on our efficiency. Our objective is to reach Basotho who are in hard to reach areas,” she stated.

She described the Linkages project as a better approach to offer services at the same time especially when they are offered to one person.

UNFPA Representative to Lesotho Mrs Therese Zeba Kobeane expressed appreciation to all who had gathered for the handing over and to Dr Onabanjo for handing over the life saving equipment to the Maputsoe SDA clinic.

During her visit, Dr Onabanjo, who is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, also had a session with the Minister of Health in the presence of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lesotho Ms Karla Robin Hershey.