Nearly three years after a government promise, the Ministry of Health is still grappling with ensuring that Village Health Workers (VHWs) are paid regularly.
In December 2022, during World AIDS Day commemorations at Bethany Health Centre in Berea, the Minister of Health, Selibe Mochoboroane, pledged to resolve the financial challenges affecting VHWs.
Mochoboroane promised that arrears would be settled by the end of that year and that from April 2023, workers would begin receiving monthly payments “like any other civil servant.”
He, at the time, emphasised that addressing VHWs’ concerns was one of his priorities, noting that management meetings were being held weekly to push the matter forward.
However, almost three years later, the issue remains unresolved. The Ministry’s Principal Secretary (PS), Maneo Moliehi Ntene, confirmed that the workers’ grievances have not yet been fully addressed.
“If ever we had a budget, we would have already been done with the process and village health workers would be having what they requested,” Ntene said.
She explained that while the Ministry has completed internal processes and sought funding from the Ministry of Finance, budgetary constraints remain a stumbling block.
She added that the Ministry has decided to comply with a court order directing it to formalise VHWs’ employment.
“We need them, and we have no objection to the court order because we understand the conditions and environment they work under. Once they receive what they have asked for, our responsibility will be to monitor them and ensure that everyone performs their duties effectively. However, it would be unfair to demand accountability without improving their working conditions. We must also provide clear terms of engagement so that they remain fully committed,” she added.
The Director of Human Resources in the Ministry of Health, Lisebo Mohololi, said they had met with representatives of the village health workers to discuss the way forward.
“After the meeting, we wrote to the finance department, which directed us to begin the process with the Public Service. That’s where we encountered challenges, because if the village health workers are absorbed into the public service, many would be excluded due to the age limit. This goes against their wish to maintain their current employment terms so that no one is left out, while still receiving increased allowances as requested,” Mohololi said.
She added: “We also considered requesting a revision of the court order, particularly the part requiring that they be regarded as civil servants. That condition compels us to go through the Public Service, where the age restriction would apply.”
Mohololi further stated that a deed of settlement has now been drafted and is awaiting the Principal Secretary’s signature, after which the ministry will approach the finance department for funding.
Chairman of the Social Cluster Portfolio Committee, Mokhothu Makhalanye, emphasised that as the ministry works to resolve the matter, it must ensure that all actions comply with the law.
The Secretary General of the Lesotho Workers’ Association (LEWA), Hlalefang Seoaholimo, noted that the Ministry of Health’s efforts were at an advanced stage. Speaking on behalf of the village health workers, Seoaholimo expressed appreciation for the ministry’s commitment.
He said they were now waiting for the ministry to conclude discussions with finance so that a final agreement could be signed and the court order implemented.
He highlighted that the court ruling simply required that village health workers be recognised as employees of the Ministry of Health and be entitled to the relevant benefits.
Summary
- The Director of Human Resources in the Ministry of Health, Lisebo Mohololi, said they had met with representatives of the village health workers to discuss the way forward.
- He said they were now waiting for the ministry to conclude discussions with finance so that a final agreement could be signed and the court order implemented.
- He highlighted that the court ruling simply required that village health workers be recognised as employees of the Ministry of Health and be entitled to the relevant benefits.
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.
