
Maluti Adventist College campus
From MAC's photo collection.
Maluti Adventist College
By Lillo A. Kuape
Lillo A. Kuape, MPhil (Stellenbosch University, South Africa), from Berea, Lesotho, is the rector of Maluti Adventist College. He holds a Master of Philosophy degree from Stellenbosch University's Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management and diplomas in midwifery and nursing from Maluti School of Nursing. He is a dedicated healthcare professional and is currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing at Loma Linda University, U.S.A. Lillo has held various roles in healthcare and education.
First Published: November 4, 2024
Maluti Adventist College is a healthcare training institution of the Southern African Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Maluti Adventist College (MAC) is a mission-driven educational entity registered under the Higher Education Act No. 7 of 2004 as a Non-Governmental Institution organized and administered in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.1 Its location is the Berea District of Lesotho, at the foothills of the front range of the Maluti Mountains. It is currently operated under the ownership of the Southern African Union Conference (SAU) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID) territory. Officially established in 1958 as Maluti School of Nursing (MSON), it transitioned to Maluti Adventist College in 2013.2 The College offers two Diploma programs, namely, Nursing and Midwifery. The Midwifery program is offered in two modes: the Face-to-Face and Open and Distance Learning (ODL).3 The institution currently graduates approximately 120 graduates each year4. Throughout its existence, MAC has welcomed and conferred diplomas upon students from Lesotho, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Rwanda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya.5
The Origins of Maluti Adventist College
Maluti Adventist College traces its origins back to the Maluti School of Nursing legacy. It is a successor to the Maluti School of Nursing. From the outset, Maluti Adventist Hospital’s founders aimed to establish a Nursing Training School.6 In 1952, they constructed a two-story building designed/meant to accommodate 35 students called “Nurses’ Home.”7 The first Matron of Maluti Adventist Hospital, Martha Hansen, previously served at Nokhuphila Hospital in Sophia Town, Johannesburg, South Africa, where she gained experience leading a nursing school. Leveraging her expertise, she developed the new Nursing Program at Maluti.8
It was not until 1956 that Maluti Adventist Hospital could apply to register its nursing school to the High Commission Territories Nursing Council, the regulatory body of Nursing Profession and Education. Subsequently, in 1958, the Maluti School of Nursing was formally accepted as a Nursing Training Institution. The school received registration from the High Commission Territories Nursing Council, and its graduates earned due recognition. The Maluti School of Nursing was founded with the mission to fulfill the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s dual mandate of health and education.9
It initiated its first cohort in 1958 under the leadership of Matron Martha Hansen. Three students, Mary Tsenoli, Tabitha Majubile Nkhase, and Jeanette Botsane, completed their four-year nursing certificate in 1962.10 The program began as a four-year course, with students required to possess a junior certificate for enrollment. In that same year, the Nurses’ Home, initially a two-story building accommodating 35 students, underwent expansion to include the kitchen and dining area.11
The Global Reach of Maluti School of Nursing
Since MSON was the sole recognized Adventist training school for African nurses in the Union of South Africa and the protectorates, its mission extended beyond training Basotho nurses to encompass SDA students from various countries.12 For this purpose, Lesotho welcomed students from South Africa, Malawi, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Rwanda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya.13 Apart from the diverse experiences offered at Maluti Adventist Hospital, students also spent time at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital and Mohlomi Mental Hospital in Maseru. Occasionally, they ventured to Bloemfontein to visit specialized medical units.14 In 1965, a Nurses’ training block was officially inaugurated by Mr. Hogg, Manager of the Native Recruiting Co-operation, as the most prominent building on campus—a dormitory housing 100 individuals. At that time, the campus comprised students and tutors from different languages, nations, and cultures.15
Maluti’s Journey in Innovative Nursing and Midwifery Education
Since 1984, MSON has been at the forefront of integrating technology into its teaching and learning processes.16 The College made a significant leap by introducing multimedia through a video projector, which played religious and uplifting educational videos for students. This equipment was highly appreciated for its ability to deliver quality educational content, significantly aiding nursing education and providing entertainment on Saturday evenings. By 1987, the video setup had become an integral part of the teaching methodology, utilizing both professionally provided videos and those produced in-house at Maluti.17 In 1991, the Loma Linda University Nursing Alumni Association generously donated funds to procure additional educational video tapes, further enhancing the school’s resources.18
Maluti has since maintained and expanded its commitment to educational technology, culminating in developing customized virtual learning platforms and an eLearning program for midwifery. This foundation proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic. While other nursing schools in Lesotho halted first-year intakes in 2020 due to the pandemic, Maluti seamlessly continued its operations through online mediums. It stood out as the only nursing school among six in the country to recruit new students during this challenging time. The nationwide school site closures mandated by the new Government of Lesotho (GoL) gazette significantly impacted everyone, but Maluti Adventist College was prepared. MAC’s prior investment in a fully licensed Learning Management System and experience with online midwifery programs ensured a smooth transition to this new normal. The College remains dedicated to adapting and thriving in the evolving educational landscape.19
Educational Programs and Regulatory Changes
On October 4, 1966, Lesotho attained independence from Britain following its first elections. The elections led to the transition from “Basutoland” to “Lesotho.” Moreover, in 1966, the oversight of the School of Nursing shifted from the High Commission Territories Nursing Council to the Lesotho Nursing Council (LNC), established as a regulatory body under the Nurses and Midwifery Act of 1966.20 Subsequent legislative changes, including the Nursing Act of 1983 and the Nursing and Midwifery Order of 1993, further shaped the College’s regulatory framework.21 Presently, the operations of the College are governed by the Nurses and Midwives Act of 1998.22
Between 1970 and 1978, the hospital administration sought to strengthen its nursing school and hospital nursing staff to further their studies. With the assistance of Phyllis Collins, many nurses and tutors completed their degree programs through the University of South Africa (UNISA).23 As a result, a maternity ward was added as a specialized unit to the hospital in 1970, which led to the introduction of a one-year program in midwifery in the same year, resulting in the concurrent operation of two programs.24 Five midwifery students received their registered midwifery diploma in 1971. In 1974, the large Nurses' Home structure was fully completed.25
In response to the country’s healthcare needs, the training of Nursing Assistants commenced in 1975 [initially as a one-year program] and finished in January 1976. This program was extended to fifteen and then eighteen months to encompass maternal and child health content. The upgrading of the nursing program to a Diploma occurred in 1980, with revised entry requirements of a Cambridge (COSC) or Matric Certificate.26 In the mid-1980s, a one-year clinical instructor course was introduced on a part-time basis for nurses in Lesotho, facilitated by Ms. Phyllis Collins.27 Despite the College's efforts, the Nursing Assistant program was phased out and eventually closed in 1994 due to financial challenges. Nevertheless, by divine providence, the remaining programs persevered.28
Certification and Accreditation
Initially, the certification process for nurses in Lesotho was overseen by the Nurses’ Examination Board of Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland (NEBBLS). This arrangement continued until the dissolution of NEBBLS in 198929. Following this dissolution, the mission institutions providing nursing training in Lesotho formed a consortium under the National University of Lesotho (NUL) affiliation to manage student certification. A significant development occurred when the Maluti School of Nursing affiliated with NUL within this framework. This collaboration led to establishing a Council for Student Certification at NUL, marking a new era in the certification process.30 Despite this affiliation, the Maluti School of Nursing maintained its distinct identity while operating within the consortium. The first university-administered nursing examination was conducted in November 1989, representing a milestone in the formalization of nursing education and certification in Lesotho.31
With the enactment of the Council on Higher Education (CHE) as the Academic Regulatory Body in 2004, Maluti School of Nursing came under the jurisdiction of the Higher Education Act No. 7 of 2004, which governs Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Lesotho.32 This legislation mandated that the School of Nursing attain autonomy and independence from its affiliated mother hospital, Maluti Adventist Hospital, as a prerequisite for accreditation. Maluti School of Nursing was also required to establish governance and management structures aligned with the imperatives outlined in the Higher Education Act No.7 of 2004.33 In response to evolving educational standards and legislation, the School of Nursing adapted by changing its name to Maluti Adventist College in 2013, aligning with the Higher Education Act No. 7 of 2004. This amendment reflected a commitment to quality assurance in line with higher education standards. Subsequently, in 2016, the College received accreditation from the Council of Higher Education (CHE) as a private higher education institution.34
Celebrating Academic Excellence
Maluti Adventist College (MAC) has consistently upheld its mission to provide excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Education, adapting to changing educational landscapes and meeting high standards set by regulatory bodies and accrediting agencies. In 2015, through its Nursing Directorate, the Ministry of Health set a strategic plan to transform Nursing and Midwifery Education programs.35 This plan aimed to make these programs more learner-centered and create opportunities for working Nurses to continue their studies without resigning from their jobs. This strategy led to the development of an Open and Distance Learning Midwifery program at MAC in 2017, offering an 18-month diploma in midwifery that utilizes both online and face-to-face teaching methods. The curriculum also transitioned from a content-driven to a competency-based approach.36
Impressively, this ODL program secured re-accreditation after two years of implementation and was granted a five-year accreditation status from February 2020 to June 2025.37 This accreditation signifies that the program meets all CHE requirements and standards. Additionally, the CHE granted full five-year accreditation to MAC’s Diploma in Midwifery face-to-face program from 2023 to 2028.38 In June 2024, the legacy Diploma in Nursing program also obtained a five-year accreditation status with the CHE, thus indicating it meets the required minimum accreditation standards.39 In April 2024, MAC received a four-year accreditation status from the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA), confirming that the institution meets the requisite Seventh-day Adventist standards for higher education, benchmarked against global criteria. In recognition of these achievements, the SID Board of Education awarded MAC $1,000 for its exemplary performance. These accolades highlight MAC’s dedication to academic excellence and its commitment to providing its students high-quality Nursing and Midwifery Education.
Academic Collaborative Partnerships and Affiliations
From 1981 to 1985, Maluti Hospital and School of Nursing facilitated staff obtaining degrees in Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, and Community Health through a special tutorship provided by the University of South Africa (UNISA).40 Classes were held at Maluti Adventist Hospital, covering all necessary subjects, with examinations scheduled in October and November each year. The classes ran from January to September, accommodating enrolled nurses who balanced work and study. From 1986 onwards, some nurses completed their studies through direct correspondence with UNISA. As a result, this initiative enhanced the quality of care in the hospital and elevated the standard of nursing education.41
Since 1989, MAC has forged strong connections with the Mission Institutions that offer nurses’ training in Lesotho and the Faculty of Health Sciences at the National University of Lesotho (NUL).42 This partnership began when Mission Nurses Training Institutions in Lesotho, including the Maluti School of Nursing, joined forces with NUL to manage student certification.43 In 1999, this collaboration was formalized as the Christian Health Association of Lesotho Nursing Training Institutions (CHAL NTIs), maintaining its affiliation with the National University of Lesotho. Its primary responsibilities include overseeing and implementing nursing education curricula.44 Under this framework, MAC has maintained high academic standards, ensuring adherence to regulations established by organizations like the Lesotho Nursing Council and the Council of Higher Education. Despite these affiliations, MAC has remained distinctly recognized as an Adventist institution, both in its structure and operations.45
Since its inception, Maluti Adventist College has actively participated in the Pan-African Association of Adventist Universities and Colleges (PAUC). This collaborative organization aims to advance higher education within the Seventh-day Adventist community across Sub-Saharan Africa.46 PAUC unites institutions from various divisions to promote sustainable development and improve Biblically grounded, contemporary education. Its mission includes fostering cooperative relationships, harmonizing educational policies, and enhancing the quality of SDA education. By leveraging shared resources, PAUC advances administrative, faculty, and staff development, promotes online learning, and supports collaborative research, ensuring its activities benefit the broader educational mission.47
Transformative Midwifery Education Project
The Maluti Adventist College played an important role in a landmark project to scale up Midwifery Education in Africa. This initiative was a collaborative effort between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Health Ministry, implemented through the Loma Linda University Office of Global Nursing under the leadership of Professor Patricia Jones.48 Launched in 2015, the five-year project aimed to enhance midwifery education and establish Centers of Excellence across selected African sites. Key partners in this endeavor included the WHO headquarters, its Regional Office for Africa, various country offices, and implementing partners such as the Seventh-day Adventist Health Ministry. Four institutions were chosen as project sites: MAC in Lesotho, Cosendai Adventist University in Cameroon, Kanye Seventh-day Adventist College of Nursing in Botswana, and Malamulo College of Health Sciences in Malawi.49
The ambitious project aimed to develop at least one Centre of Excellence in midwifery education. Three of the sites exceeded the 75 percent threshold required to attain this status. Maluti Adventist College in Lesotho achieved a remarkable 93 percenyt, Cosendai in Cameroon reached percemt, and Malamulo in Malawi attained percent. Although Kanye in Botswana achieved percent, the project’s overall success was notable. As a result of these efforts, MAC not only surpassed the required criteria but also gained international recognition as the Centre of Excellence in the Southern African region, underscoring the effectiveness of this collaborative initiative in advancing midwifery education and improving healthcare outcomes in Africa.50
Health Promoters Project
In 2018, Maluti Adventist College hosted a Health Promotion Public Lecture, featuring presentations by the late Dr. H.C. Harold Robles, founder of Health Promoters International, and George Arrey, CEO of Health Promoters South Africa (HPSA).51 The event was honored by the presence of Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho, who attended as a special guest. Since its inception in 2018, the Maluti Adventist College Health Promoters (MACHP) project has actively conducted workshops focused on basic health and hygiene, providing free basic health education training to community members.52 The first group of twelve MACHP trainees began training on January 28, 2020. These 12 interns underwent an eight-week training program at the college, where they were taught ten modules on Basic Health Education (BHE) and graduated on October 30, 2020. These interns are now actively helping their communities by disseminating vital health information. From this group, four candidates were selected and trained as Senior Health Promoters, graduating on November 30, 2022.53 In 2024, the project expanded to recruit 43 new trainees. The training program now emphasizes 12 modules covering Basic Health Education, Mental Health, and Bible studies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to health education.
Maluti Adventist College significantly contributed to Nursing and Midwifery Education in Lesotho and beyond. Through its commitment to academic excellence and community service, the institution continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of nurses and midwives in Africa, and abroad.
List ofLeaders
Many faithful and conscientious leaders led Maluti Adventist College. The titles of the designated leaders continued to change in response to the changes in the Educational and Health landscape of the time. The title at the establishment was “Principal Tutor.” It later changed to ”Principal Nurse Educator.” In 2013, when the institution changed its name from Maluti School of Nursing to Maluti Adventist College (MAC) with a change also in the title of the head of the institution to ”Rector.”
Principal Tutors
Martha Hansen (1958-1959); Mima Burgher (1960-1961); Bethel Wareham (1962-1959); Phyllis Collins (1970-1973); Twyla Reimche (1974-1980); Helen Staples (1981-1982); Di Tokely (1982); Phyllis Collins (1982-1988); Sarah Mahlungulu (1988); Elizabeth Yako (Acting, 1988); Rita Van Horn (Acting, 1989); Rita Van Horn (1990-1991); Sarah Mahlungulu (1992-1993); Amelia Ranotsi (1994)
Principal Nurse Educators
Victoria Nteso, Acting (1994-1996); Amelia Ranotsi (1997-2001); Victoria Nteso (2001-2013)
Rectors
Amelia Ranotsi (2014-2019); Lillo Kuape (Acting, 2019-2021); Lillo Kuape (2021-date)
Sources
Byers, Carolyn. But to Minister: A History of Maluti Adventist Hospital, Mapoteng, Lesotho. Ficksburg, South Africa: Sentralepers, 2001.
Christian Health Association of Lesotho. “List and Details of Nursing Schools.” Accessed June 11, 2024. http://www.chal.org.ls/nti.html.
Council on Higher Education Lesotho. “Maluti Adventist College Profile.” Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.che.ac.ls/maluti-adventist-college-profile/.
Council on Higher Education (CHE). Review Report of Diploma in General Nursing. Maluti Adventist College, May 2024.
Council on Higher Education (CHE). Review Report of the Diploma in Midwifery Programme. Maluti Adventist College, April 2023.
Council on Higher Education. Second Review Report for Diploma in Midwifery (ODL) Programme. Maluti Adventist College, November 2019.
Government of Lesotho. Higher Education Act, 2004 (No. 1 of 2004).
Government of Lesotho. Nurses and Midwives Act, 1966 (No. 8 of 1966).
Government of Lesotho. Nursing Act, 1983 (No. 6 of 1983).
Government of Lesotho. Nursing and Midwifery Order, 1993 (Order No. 19 of 1993).
Government of Lesotho. Nurses and Midwives Act 1998 (Act No. 12 of 1998).
Hachalinga, Passmore. “Maluti Adventist Hospital.” Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists, May 3, 2022. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/assets/pdf/article-9JI7.pdf.
Maluti Adventist College. “Background.” Accessed June 02, 2024. https://mac.ac.ls/.
Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing. Annual Report. Lesotho: A Seventh-day Adventist Institution, for 1977, 1985, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1991.
Pan African Adventist Association of Universities and Colleges. “Maluti Adventist College.” Accessed May 13, 2024. https://paucnet.org/maluti-adventist-college-membership.
Ratsara, Joanne. “WHO Teams Up With Adventists in a Global First.” Adventist Echo, July 30, 2015. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://echo.sid.adventist.org/who-teams-up-with-adventists-in-a-global-first/.
Ratsara, Joanne. “WHO Teams Up With Adventists in a Global First.” Adventist Review, July 31, 2025. Accessed November 4, 2024. https://adventistreview.org/news/who-teams-up-with-adventists-in-a-world-first/.
World Health Organization. Project on Scaling up Midwifery Education in Four African Countries: Final Project Evaluation Report, 2020. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/346600/9789290234500-eng.pdf?sequence=1.
Notes
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Government of Lesotho, Higher Education Act, 2004 (No. 1 of 2004), Section 52(1) and (2)↩
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Maluti Adventist College. “Background.” Accessed June 02, 2024. https://mac.ac.ls/.↩
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Council on Higher Education Lesotho. “Maluti Adventist College Profile.” Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.che.ac.ls/maluti-adventist-college-profile/.↩
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Passmore Hachalinga, “Maluti Adventist Hospital,” Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists, May 3, 2022. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/assets/pdf/article-9JI7.pdf.↩
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Carolyn Byers, But to Minister: A History of Maluti Adventist Hospital, Mapoteng, Lesotho (Ficksburg, South Africa: Sentralepers, 200)1, 34.↩
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Ibid., 16.↩
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Ibid.↩
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Ibid.↩
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Ibid., 34.↩
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Ibid., 16.↩
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Ibid.↩
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Hachalinga, “Maluti Adventist Hospital,” Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/assets/pdf/article-9JI7.pdf.↩
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Ibid.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing, Annual Report (Lesotho: A Seventh-day Adventist Institution, 1987), 15.↩
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Byers, Carolyn. But to Minister.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing, Annual Report, 1984–1985 (1985), 11.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing, Annual Report (1987), 15.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing. Annual Report (1991), 13.↩
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Council on Higher Education, Second Review Report for Diploma in Midwifery (ODL) Programme (Maluti Adventist College, November 2019).↩
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Government of Lesotho, Nurses and Midwives Act, 1966 (No. 8 of 1966).↩
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Government of Lesotho, Nursing Act, 1983 (No. 6 of 1983).↩
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Government of Lesotho, Nurses and Midwives Act 1998 (Act No. 12 of 1998).↩
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Byers, Carolyn. But to Minister.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing, Annual Report for 1977.↩
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Byers, Carolyn. But to Minister.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing. Annual Report for 1987.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing. Annual Report for 1985.↩
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Byers, Carolyn. But to Minister.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing. Annual Report for 1977.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing. Annual Report for 1989.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing. Annual Report for 1989.↩
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Government of Lesotho, Higher Education Act, 2004 (No. 1 of 2004).↩
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Government of Lesotho, Higher Education Act, 2004 (No. 1 of 2004).↩
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Maluti Adventist College, “Background,” Accessed June 02, 2024. https://mac.ac.ls/.↩
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Council on Higher Education, Second Review Report for Diploma in Midwifery (ODL) Programme, Maluti Adventist College, November 2019.↩
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Ibid.↩
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Ibid.↩
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Council on Higher Education (CHE). Review Report of the Diploma in Midwifery Programme. Maluti Adventist College, April 2023.↩
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Council on Higher Education (CHE). Review Report of Diploma in General Nursing. Maluti Adventist College, May 2024.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing. Annual Report (1986), 10↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing. Annual Report (1987), 15.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing. Annual Report (1989), 16.↩
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Maluti Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing. Annual Report (1988), 15.↩
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Christian Health Association of Lesotho, “List and Details of Nursing Schools,” accessed June 11, 2024. http://www.chal.org.ls/nti.html.↩
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Council on Higher Education Lesotho, “Maluti Adventist College Profile,” accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.che.ac.ls/maluti-adventist-college-profile/.↩
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Pan African Adventist Association of Universities and Colleges, “Maluti Adventist College,” accessed May 13, 2024. https://paucnet.org/maluti-adventist-college-membership.↩
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Ibid.↩
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Joanne Ratsara, “WHO Teams Up With Adventists in a Global First,” Adventist Echo, July 30, 2015, accessed November 4, 2024, https://echo.sid.adventist.org/who-teams-up-with-adventists-in-a-global-first/.↩
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Joanne Ratsara, “WHO Teams Up With Adventists in a Global First,” July 31, 2015, Adventist Review, accessed November 4, 2024, https://adventistreview.org/news/who-teams-up-with-adventists-in-a-world-first/.↩
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World Health Organization. Project on Scaling up Midwifery Education in Four African Countries: Final Project Evaluation Report, 2020, https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/346600/9789290234500-eng.pdf?sequence=1.↩
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Maluti Adventist College. “Background,” accessed June 2, 2024, https://mac.ac.ls/.↩
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Ibid.↩
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Ibid.↩