St. James Mission Hospital in Mantšonyane, Thaba-Tseka district has received a life-saving donation of maternity equipment, newborn clothing and blankets intervention expected to significantly improve neonatal care and reduce infant mortality in the district.
The donation was made by the Lesotho chapter of the Third Order Society of St. Francis (TSSF), a global Anglican/Episcopal religious order, during a handover ceremony held this week at St. John’s Parish in Maseru.
The event was attended by church leaders, healthcare staff, TSSF members, and other stakeholders, and was presided over by Rt Rev Dr. Vicentia Kgabe, the Anglican Bishop of Lesotho.
Speaking at the event, Bishop Kgabe, who is also the Bishop Protector for the African Province of the TSSF, commended the Society’s continued dedication to community development.
“I really want to thank the Third Order Society of St. Francis movement in Lesotho for their decision to support the hospital for the benefit of the people,” she said.
The donated items include an infant radiant warmer, a fetal Doppler, a patient monitor, a sphygmomanometer, a three-section gynecological couch, and warm baby clothing and blankets. These will benefit the maternity and labour ward of St. James Hospital, which services six rural health centres in the area.
Manager of Hospital Nursing Services, Khonyane Mabitso, welcomed the donation, particularly highlighting the challenge of operating under the harsh winter conditions of the highlands.
“The cold conditions under which we work at this time of the year make it challenging to properly take care of the newborn babies at the hospital, and the baby warmer will come very handy in enhancing our work,” he said.
Mabitso also noted the added burden of teenage pregnancies and high poverty levels in the district, which result in many mothers arriving for delivery without baby clothing.
“With these clothing, we are going to make sure that when they leave the hospital, their babies are wearing warm, cozy clothing like others, thereby keeping the dignity of the parent intact,” he added.
Thaba-Tseka remains one of the most underserved districts in Lesotho’s healthcare system, with the highest infant mortality rate in the country.
Hospital Administrator Zuzeka Xama underscored the ongoing need for support in other hospital departments and the pressing need for expansion to cope with patient demand.
TSSF Lesotho Convenor, Ntsebeng Mafereka, explained that their decision to assist the hospital was driven by firsthand observation of its challenges, particularly during the winter season.
“We donated the equipment and clothing because we have observed their serious needs, especially at this time of the year,” Mafereka said.
Chaba Mokuku, the Master of Ceremony and a member of the St. Francis Society, highlighted the vital role of the Monaco Department of International Cooperation in funding this initiative. The Department supports various critical sectors aimed at uplifting communities in developing countries like Lesotho.
These sectors encompass education and child protection, health, food security and nutrition, and access to decent work.
Earlier this year, the TSSF also used part of the €12,000 it received from Monaco to procure six braille machines and educational supplies for 22 visually impaired learners at St. Catherine’s High School in Maseru.
The successful delivery of maternity equipment to St. James Hospital marks another milestone in the Society’s mission to uplift vulnerable communities in Lesotho through healthcare and education, continuing its legacy of service inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
