Lesotho

A blueprint for Lesotho's healthcare system

The global progress towards curbing the spread of COVID-19 and its highly contagious variants is an ongoing and dynamic challenge. In the case of landlocked Lesotho, the country has been forced to introspect and look at its extremely strained and highly compromised healthcare infrastructure. A corresponding healthcare services agenda, which focuses on a sustainable healthcare system in partnership with the private sector on public health, is now emerging. This private-public partnership will succeed only through dialogue and development of solid frameworks.

From the transportation of vaccines to the sponsoring of PPE, Lesotho has experienced encouraging examples of successful public-private partnerships during this trying time.

In order to support and foster the progress and development of the public health sector, there is a need for public policy and economic reforms for an enabling environment that catalyses innovation for contextualised healthcare responses. These include innovative laws for research and development of locally manufactured medicines from natural resources, such as medical cannabis, the establishment of active national health regulatory authorities, and the improvement of the bills and laws relating to the Manthati Phomane, Principal Officer, Mamoth Health

healthcare system. Collectively, when well harnessed, these could result in Lesotho becoming a medical tourism destination for the SADC region and beyond.

There is a need for an agile regulatory framework that safeguards a world-class standard for ethical biomedical innovations, skills transfer, and to guarantee that any value created is beneficial to Lesotho’s healthcare industry. This will mitigate abuses and meaningfully contribute to the fiscus. An overall improved healthcare framework will ensure that public healthcare is adequately furnished with primary healthcare essentials that enable private healthcare support throughout the country.

Undoubtedly, the survival, dignity and life expectancy of the Basotho nation will improve when the availability, affordability and accessibility of healthcare services become a reality for all citizens, everywhere in Lesotho.