Nthatuoa Koeshe

THE Lesotho National Insurance Group (LNIG) last week donated a batch of Personal Protective Equipment to Makoanyane Military Hospital.

The PPE included disinfectants, safety boots, disposable masks, fumigating machine, safety gloves, hand sanitisers, anti-bacterial soaps, face shields and disposable caps.

Army Commander Lieutenant General Mojalefa Letsoela said the gifts came at an ideal time when the hospital was in dire need of the PPE.

“We are gathered here today to receive this important gift because we are still in the middle of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” Lt Gen Letsoela said.

“The money we get from the government does not cover all our needs but LNIG will assist us greatly.

“Today is a very important day for us because we are celebrating the graduation of new recruits and we will be able to utilise this equipment in abiding with the World Health Organisation Covid-19 regulations.”

For his part, LNIG sales and marketing manager, Qamako Mahao said for many years, the LNIG and the army have enjoyed good relations and this influenced the decision to provide assistance.

Due to poor state of the economy, different government departments are struggling to get adequate funds for their operations and the Makoanyane Military Hospital is no exception particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is very important for LNIG to assist a unit such as this one because it doesn’t only help the military but Basotho in general and it is a trusted this hospital,” Mr Mahao said.

Lesotho Defence Force director military services, Colonel ‘Matšotetsi Tlelai also welcomed the donations as they have been facing shortages.

“The government had not budgeted for Covid-19, so we had to fight it with the little that we had. The PPE that we had, ran out and we have been getting donations from different entities and the Ministry of Health but they have been barely enough,” Col Tlelai said.

Before receiving the LNIG donation, they had gone for a week without PPE.