Innovation can shore up dwindling health budget
. . . Minister Mochoboroane urges practitioners
LINEO MABEKEBEKE
MASERU – The health budgets of many countries, including that of Lesotho, are under strain due to sluggish economic growth or even decline, underscoring the urgent need for innovation and evidence-based practices across the health sector. This critical issue was highlighted by the Minister of Health Selibe Mochoboroane, at the 16th Biennial East, Central, and Southern Africa College of Nursing and Midwifery (ECSACONM) scientific conference held in Maseru this week.
The ECSACONM conference serves as a vital platform for health professionals and partners to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and advocate for systemic change. This year’s conference brought together experts to address the pressing challenges facing the region’s healthcare systems.
Mochoboroane emphasised the growing demand on health services, which necessitates a workforce of capable, committed, and skilled professionals. He stressed the importance of nurses and midwives, who are central to delivering healthcare services to communities and families.
“Nurses and midwives integrate various aspects of the health system, ensuring that services are effectively delivered,” he explained. The COVID-19 pandemic, according to Mochoboroane, was a turning point for the health sector. It not only altered the way health services are provided but also pushed humanity to adapt its behaviours.
“The pandemic tested the very foundation of health systems development, making innovation a necessity,” he noted.
The pandemic highlighted the critical role of community engagement and brought to light the severe shortages of skilled health professionals in the East, Central, and Southern Africa (ECSA) region. The World Health Organisation (WHO) representative to Lesotho, Dr. Mary Stephen echoed these concerns, emphasising the challenges faced by many African countries, including Lesotho.
“Access to quality health services remains a significant hurdle,” she said. Dr. Stephen highlighted Lesotho’s high maternal and new-born mortality rates, which are among the highest in the Eastern and Southern African region. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort to enhance the training of nurses and midwives and to strengthen health data systems for accurate and timely information.
Dr. Stephen pointed out that the alignment of nursing and midwifery training with the evolving needs of the population is crucial. “We need to ensure that training programmes are relevant and that health data systems support evidence-based interventions,” she said.
She also stressed the pivotal role of nurses and midwives in health care. “They make up a significant portion of the health workforce and are often the first point of contact for patients. Their initial assessments and care are crucial to achieving positive health outcomes.”
In addition to providing essential care, nurses and midwives play a key role in shaping health policies and driving primary health care initiatives. “Investing in nurses and midwives is essential for creating efficient, effective, resilient, and sustainable health systems,” Dr. Stephen added.
Since its inception in 1990, ECSACONM has been instrumental in raising the standards of nursing and midwifery across its 16 member countries. The organisation’s efforts have been vital in improving health care quality in the region.
Mochoboroane also called for renewed advocacy for the nursing and midwifery professions. “Well-trained professionals are crucial for reducing maternal and new-born mortality, managing chronic diseases, and ensuring access to care in rural and underserved areas,” he urged. The WHO is committed to collaborating with ECSACONM, the Ministry of Health, and other partners to ensure that the conference’s outcomes lead to tangible improvements in healthcare quality and system strengthening across the region. “Our goal is to ensure that the discussions and resolutions from this conference translate into meaningful advancements in health care,” Dr. Stephen said.
