Lesotho News

The Kingdom of Lesotho received United Nations Central Emergency Response Funds (CERF) following food insecurity after severe drought in July 2012. In anticipation of severe malnutrition and other childhood illnesses, the WHO Lesotho and other UN Agencies supported the government on nationwide training of health workers in health facilities.

The Kingdom of Lesotho launched its National Cervical Cancer Screening Program on the 30th January 2013 at Sankatana Centre of Excellence in Maseru, with the assistance of the American People, through funding from the United States for International Development (USAID), and in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and EGPAF. The inauguration also celebrated a very important day which is celebrated every year on the 04th February, World Cancer Day, under the theme of “Know the fact about Cancer”.

Lesotho recently completed a training session on the development of a National business continuity plan for the country, which was followed by the development of a draft plan. Present at the training were the International Health Regulations Manager Mr Khotso Mahomo, Chief Executive Disaster Management Authority „Mé Mojaki, StratMan Consultants, Government Officials and Representatives from non-governmental organizations. Dr. Mufunda, WHO Representative, opened the training session, which took place over 3 days.

The National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, being funded by Partners in Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, was officially launched on the 05th February 2013 at Bots’abelo in Maseru district. The function was beautified by the presence of the Right Honorable Prime Minister, Dr. Motsoahae Thomas Thabane, government ministers including the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Pinkie Manamolela, United Nations, Diplomatic corps and Non-Governmental Organizations Representatives, media and community at large. 

The Human Security Unit (HSU) of the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) visited Lesotho from 3-9 March 2013. The purpose of the mission was to provide an opportunity for the HSU to assess the progress of the project implementation and the application of the human security, appreciate the challenges and added value of implementing the human security approach as well as providing guidance where necessary.

The Ministry of Health, with support from the UN country team, conducted the MAF validation workshop for stakeholders on the costed MAF action plan on the 28th March 2013. The costing of the MAF action plan was facilitated by the WHO Inter Country Support Team through Dr. Nganda from Harare and Dr. Getachew Atnafu from the WHO Ethiopia. The objective of the workshop was to share and discuss identified interventions, bottlenecks and solutions on MAF action plan and reach consensus. Director General of Health Services, Dr. Mpolai Moteetee, opened the meeting.

Lesotho commemorated World Health Day on 07th April 2013 and the commemoration was hosted at Lithabaneng, Maseru under this year’s global theme; “HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE”. The function was organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO and was beautified by the presence of the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Pinkie Rosemary Manamolela; Mr. Mohlakola Hlabana, WHO PHE officer speaking on behalf of the WHO Representative to Lesotho; Dr. Mpolai Moteetee, Director General of Health Service in the Ministry of Health; Dr. Lugemba Budiaki, Director of Primary Health Care; Mr.

The third annual African Vaccination Week (AVW) was commemorated this week in Mafeteng district, Lesotho highlighting this year’s global theme: “Saves lives prevent disabilities, vaccinate”.

World No Tobacco Day was commemorated on May 31st in Thaba-Bosiu, Maseru District, under a very timely and relevant theme for Lesotho :

“Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship”.

To demonstrate that Lesotho does not need to rely on the tobacco industry to run events, the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization, organized a sports tournament for the youth of the area. Key health messages on the dangers of tobacco use were shared routinely with the crowd throughout the tournament.

World blood Donor Day was commemorated on June 14th in Maseru District. This year is the 10th anniversary of the institution of World Blood Donor Day and was celebrated under the theme: “Every blood donation is a gift of life”.

Lesotho has a strong blood donation service and chose to mark the 10th anniversary with a ceremony at the Victoria Hotel, in Maseru, congratulating the contributions by blood donors across the country throughout the years.