The Lesotho Nursing Association (LNA) in partnership with Transformation Resource Centre (TRC), supported by Bread for the World expressed their concern over unpreparedness and failure of authorities in Lesotho to mount clear, comprehensive and systematic strategies against COVID-19.

In a statement the two organizations noted that they embarked on a countrywide study, aimed at assessing the preparedness of clinics to combat the virus.

They said their findings revealed that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is inadequate in many health centers, and is completely unavailable in others.

They said moreover approximately 70% of health centers they visited lacked the necessary facilities and amenities, such as screening machines and isolation facilities to handle possible suspects of COVID-19.

In their statement they further indicated that delayed disbursement of salaries to healthcare workers, has become a common occurrence in some health care facilities, particularly those owned by the Christian Health Association of Lesotho (CHAL).

They said this is caused by the fact that the Government of Lesotho, delays to disburse subventions to facilities owned by CHAL, and this impinges negatively on the livelihoods of healthcare workers.

The two organizations also pointed that, they have learnt of grave allegations of embezzlements of money at certain health centers, where funds were misdirected selfishly by senior nurses, and of incidences where junior nurses were persecuted, for raising their dissenting voices against maladministration.

They also expressed their dissatisfaction about the District Emergency Command Centers (DECC), which are irresponsive and represent typical unpreparedness towards fighting this pandemic.