Endoscopy for QMMH nurses

LINEO MALATALIANA

MASERU – In an effort to improve diagnostic methods for cancer and other diseases, Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital has enrolled eight nurses in an Endoscopy programme.

Dr Kasanji Benjamin Ngoie noted that the hospital has had a long journey mentioning that the training started in November in 2024 with the first cohort of nurses that undertook training at the hospital.

The nurses were chosen randomly from the surgical department and operating theater. “The empowerment in improving healthcare in the country calls for you to be pioneers and downstream information to others,” Ngoie said.

Country Life Medical Diagnosis with the Ministry of Health (MoH) facilitated the training that saw the eight nurses carry out training in Endoscopy in collaboration with specialists from Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust from the United Kingdom.

On behalf of the MoH Health, Dr Lieketseng Petlane, sung praise to the Harrogate team for their dedication especially working on pro bono basis.  

“I would like to give special thanks to ‘M’e Mpholle, because when most people leave they hardly remember home,” Petlane said.

Endoscopy is a non-invasive procedure that uses the aid of a camera to provide imagery in gastro-intestinal tract to allow for precise diagnosis and treatment.

One of the trainees, Lisemelo Rakhoba noted she had been eligible owing to her engagement in the surgical department which deals with diagnostics and therapeutics in surgical procedures.

“The training has helped me to become entailed with providing health education to the patient because with the gastroscopy the patient has to well prepared as to what is going to happen,” Rakhoba said.

The trainee said that she is able to deliver precise information to the patient at to what to expect before the procedure and has an understanding as to how to properly manage the patient’s pain.

“When you are well-equipped and informed you become a nicer and kinder nurse because you are confident in what you are saying to the patient,” the trainee said.

Through the training, Rakhoba has been able to improve her skills so much that she has gained access into the operating theater and has become an assistant to a surgeon, a privilege she was not afforded before the training.

The Endoscopy Practice Educator Harrogate Hospital UK, CLMD Managing Director for the Republic of South Africa and Lesotho, ‘Masekhoane Mpholle, was proud of her efforts and those of the trainees.

She said the road to the auspicious moment was not an easy feat but they persevered.

“I am proud of the team, they showed resilience and dedication to their training while juggling their work schedule,” Mpholle said.

Mpholle’s dedication to seeing the success of the training is showcased in how meticulous she was when awarding the participants with their certificates.

She was able to recall on the attributes each participant possessed throughout their training.

The training was held for the Maseru District Hospital and QMMH.

Training is still on going for doctors who will also be awarded with their certificates of completion later on in the month.