This is a submission of deputy minister basic education, ’Maphoka Motoboli, who argues it is vital that society should, from an early age, be sensitised on the causes of infertility – disintegrating widely held untruths that fuel stigma and the abuse of women who cannot bear children.
Speaking to this reporter on the sidelines of the sixth edition of the ‘Merck Africa Asia Luminary’ held in Accra, Ghana, beginning October 29 to 30 Mrs Motoboli urged the Basotho to adopt choices brought forward by modern technological leanings while also leading healthy lifestyles conducive to a good reproductive life.
The minister singled out egg fertilisation outside the womb as one of the best methods through which infertile couples could be assisted to conceive and bear children.
The Accra assembly was hosted by the government of Ghana and co-chaired by Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana and Dr Rasha Kelej, Merck Foundation CEO.
Merck Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Merck, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and to advance their lives through science and technology.
The conference was attended by 58 countries from across the globe, with African First Ladies and health, gender and education ministers from 20 African countries; over 1,000 participants drawn from the academia, researchers, policy makers, health care practitioners, medical specialists and the media participated in the discussions.
A Lesotho delegation headed by the minister in the prime minister’s office, Tšehlo Ramarou, Minister Motoboli, ’Maesaiah Thabane Trust Fund director Keneuoe Machela, programme’s manager in the Office of the First Lady Monaheng Monyane and media representative Lebohang Maketa represented Lesotho’s First Lady, Dr 'Maesaiah Thabane, in the meeting – Dr Thabane has recently been appointed Merck Foundation’s ‘More than a Mother’ programme ambassador in the country.
The campaign aims to demystify infertility using the media, arts, fashion and theatre and kick started in the country recently with the training of media practitioners drawn from across media houses in Lesotho.
