Healthcare in Lesotho
Healthcare in Lesotho is provided by several sources. The government's Ministry of Health operates district hospitals in almost every district of the country.[1] There is also a large number of mission hospitals affiliated with numerous denominations of Christianity.[1] The country is also served by clinics, non-governmental organizations, and community organizations.[1]
The World Bank reported in 2017 that the country had some of the poorest health outcomes in the world.[2] Lesotho received international aid monies to improve these outcomes, but the funds were not used to improve healthcare.[2]
Facilities
[edit]There were 117 medical facilities in Lesotho in 2019.[1]
In the past two decades, the country has built major new hospitals in the capital city of Maseru. Queen 'Mamohato Memorial Hospital opened in 2011 and replaced the then-100-year old Queen Elizabeth II hospital.[3][4] The hospital was built and administered using both public and private financing (PPP) using a Design-Build-Finance-Operate model.[4][5] Also new is Maseru District Hospital, which opened in 2024. The hospital was funded and built by the Chinese government as part of the Belt and Road Initiative[6] Both new hospitals have struggled with labor concerns.[7][8]
Staffing
[edit]In a report published by the World Health Organization in 2007, there were five doctors, and 62 nurses and midwives per 100,000 people in Lesotho.[9] As a comparison, South Africa has 74 doctors and 393 nurses per 100,000 people.[9]
Also of note is that most practicing doctors are not native to the country.[9] In 2009, 80% of the doctors in Lesotho were foreigners visiting Lesotho from other parts of Africa, while waiting for approval to work in South Africa.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 "A spatial database of health facilities managed by the public health sector in sub-Saharan Africa". World Health Organization. February 11, 2019. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- 1 2 Ndayizigiye, Melino; Allan-Blitz, Lao-Tzu; Dally, Emily; Abebe, Seyfu; Andom, Afom; Tlali, Retsepile; Gingras, Emily; Mokoena, Mathabang; Msuya, Meba; Nkundanyirazo, Patrick; Mohlouoa, Thiane; Mosebo, Fusi; Motsamai, Sophie; Mabathoana, Joalane (November 16, 2022). "Improving access to health services through health reform in Lesotho: Progress made towards achieving Universal Health Coverage". PLOS Glob Public Health. 2 (11) e0000985. doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0000985. PMC 10021396. PMID 36962564.
- ↑ "Netcare Limited SWOT Analysis". MarketLine: 1. May 2014.
- 1 2 "Flagship hospital threatens to bankrupt health budget". Africa Health. 36 (4): 11. May 2014. ISSN 0141-9536. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
- ↑ Sadeghi, A (November 2016). "Experiences of selected countries in the use of public-private partnership in hospital services provision". The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 66 (11): 1401–1406. PMID 27812056.
- ↑ "Belt and Road Cooperation: Advancing China-Lesotho Cooperation with New Impetus". EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO. April 22, 2019.
- ↑ Mpesi, Mohloai; Sebusi, Mathatisi (October 26, 2025). "Top doctor chides mismanagement at Maseru District Hospital". Sunday Express.
- ↑ Charumbira, Silence (March 16, 2021). "Lesotho sacks hundreds of striking nurses as doctors warn of dire shortages". The Guardian.
- 1 2 3 4 Cohen, R; Lynch, S; Bygrave, H; Eggers, E; Vlahakis, N; Hilderbrand, K; Knight, L; Pillay, P; Saranchuk, P; Goemaere, E; Makakole, L; Ford, N (October 8, 2009). "Antiretroviral treatment outcomes from a nurse-driven, community-supported HIV/AIDS treatment programme in rural Lesotho: observational cohort assessment at two years". J Int AIDS Soc. 12: 23. doi:10.1186/1758-2652-12-23. PMC 2768674. PMID 19814814.