Leribe, July. 25 -- With the purpose of capacitating the medical services, Chinese Medical Team donated medicines and medical instruments to Motebang government hospital in Leribe on Thursday.

Addressing the crowd, Ministry of Health Director General Dr. Makhoasi Ranyali expressed her gratitude to the Chinese government in supporting and donating medicines and medication to Motebang government hospital.

Dr. Ranyali said the relationship between the two countries of China and Lesotho comes long way, saying last year the same hospital received equipment from China.

She said they appreciate that China Embassy remembers Motebang often, saying the relationship was also more evident during the Covid-19 era in 2021.

Speaking at the same ceremony, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy Mr. Lyu Liangzhong said based on the protocol updated in October 2021 between the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho and China, Chinese government shall provide certain amount of medicines and medical instruments to Lesotho each year.

He continued that for 2024, health medical assistance worth M600,000.00 Maloti is donated to Motebang Hospital by Chinese government through Chinese Medical Team.

“These medical supplies include commonly used clinical drugs and medical instruments such as surgical knife,” he stated.

He said as Lesotho marks 200 years of Basotho's existence, it also marks the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Lesotho, thus in the field of medical and health care cooperation between two countries the year 2024, 18 Chinese Medical Teams and over 180 doctors from China Hubei Province have come to free medical and health care services to Basotho.

Moreover, the counsellor said secondly, they are working on implementing the proposal by President Xi Jinping to build a China-Africa community of health, in pairing up Chinese and African hospitals, with China Wuhan No.1 Hospital and Maseru District hospital pushing forward for Twin hospital mechanism.

He said in June the China aided Maseru District Hospital and Eye Clinic Project which was handed over to the government of Lesotho.

Mr. Liangzhong expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom of Lesotho and Motebang Hospital for continued support and assistance to the Chinese Medical Team.

Echoing the same sentiments, District Medical Officer Dr. Pusetso Topo said this was an important seeking to unite China and Lesotho.

He mentioned that Motebang appreciates the support as Leribe is the largest district after Maseru.

Dr. Topo indicated that Motebang Hospital serves about 780 000 population from different parts of the country, as far as Thaba Tseka and Quthing districts.

In conclusion, he said the medicines and medical instruments are important in serving the people, saying they are thankful of the continued support for future collaboration.

This year in September, China- Africa Cooperation will be held in China, where China and Africa will enhance long standing friendship and deepen unity and collaboration in various aspects including public health and medical care.