Lesotho health sector comprises several government hospitals and private clinics that aim at improving the general health condition of the indigenous inhabitants of the country. The health system in the country is controlled by the Department of Health Ministry and Social Welfare of the Government of Lesotho. The Government has formulated an extensive national health plan for development of health care systems in the country. Some of the main objectives of the national health plan of Lesotho are:
- A comprehensive health package for all the districts
- Financial reconstruction
- Improved human resources
- Delegation of powers at all levels for enhanced medical services
- Decrease in infant fertility rates
The department of the Health Ministry and Social Welfare of Lesotho has framed a cohesive and comprehensive Lesotho health care system, in direct collaboration with the non-governmental agencies, individual donors and private organizations. The medical team of the heath care system engages in extensive research work to maintain high standards of health and hygiene in the country. The government as well as the private dispensaries can avail medicines from the Department of Pharmaceutical Services. The National Drug Services Organization supplies medicines to hospitals of the remote areas.
For proper implementation of health care services, Lesotho is subdivided into several areas, which are referred to as “Health Service Areas”. Each of the Health Service Area is supervised by mission or government hospital. Some of the prominent government hospitals of Lesotho, offering services to Lesotho health, are:
- Queen Elizabeth II Hospital
- Botsabelo Hospital
- Leribe Hospital
- Mohlomi Mental Hospital
Some of the notable mission or private hospitals of Lesotho include the following:
- St. James’ Mission Hospital
- Tebellong Hospital
- Maseru Private Hospital
The Government of Lesotho is planning two more hospitals there.
The health care system of Lesotho can be classified into the following categories:
- The smallest unit of the health care system is the village where about 5000 workers voluntarily cater to the health needs of the villagers
- Establishment of dispensaries that cater to 6000 to 10,000 inhabitants
- Health Service Areas, which are supervised by medical teams that operate under directions from the respective hospitals
The World Health Organization has played an important role in formulation and implementation of proper health care systems. The Flying Doctor Service and Child Health Care are some of the special facilities offered by Lesotho health department. However, there are quite a few diseases, which are quite frequent in Lesotho, some of which are:
- AIDS
- Tuberculosis
- Polio
- Measles
- DTP
