Maud Boikanyo
The Kingdom of Lesotho is a land-locked country, which is surrounded by South Africa. The extensive network of rivers and mountain ranges that crisscross the country make it difficult for many people to access healthcare.
Cardio-vascular diseases account for 14% of total deaths across all age groups, while cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases account for 9%. The remaining 77% of deaths are a result of communicable diseases, accidents, and trauma.
More than a third of children are stunted and show signs of serious malnutrition and 51% of the population is anemic. The HIV prevalence rate is approximately 23% in people between the ages of 15 to 49 years.
Rotary Family Health Days was launched in Lesotho in 2019 and three sites provided a set of core services to the citizens of the Mountain Kingdom.
His Majesty King Letsie III, who is the patron of Rotary in Lesotho, provided unwavering support through his government, through the Ministry of Health.
The Rotary Club of Ficksburg, from neighboring South Africa, partnered with the two clubs in Lesotho, the Rotary Clubs of Maloti and Maseru, as well as Rotaractors from Lesotho to run the program. Members of another South African Rotary club, the Rotary Club of Ladybrand, also volunteered at the three sites.
Click the sites below to see highlights from a selection of Health Days that were held in Lesotho.
Rotary Family Health Days provided 6,887 free health services to 1,696 people; an average of 4.06 healthcare services was delivered to each person who visited a site. The program also included screening for three types of cancer, cervical (VIA only); breast, and prostate. Where necessary, people received referrals for further diagnosis and treatment.
A team of 250 community volunteers manned the sites. The two clubs in Lesotho, the Rotary Clubs of Maloti and Maseru, partnered with their Rotaractors and the Rotary Club of Ficksburg (South Africa) to run the program. Rotary members from the Rotary Club of Ladybrand (South Africa) also volunteered at the three sites.
Blood tests for prostate cancer were offered, and of the 68 blood samples taken, three showed signs of presence of the cancer. One of the people has sadly sinced died and at the last report, the other two were still receiving treatment.
The Rotary Family Health Days Project – Lesotho 2019 has pioneered the extension of the Rotary Family Health Days beyond the South African borders further into the southern tip of Africa. Financial support for the activity in Lesotho came primarily from AIDS Health Foundation (AHF) International, The Headquarters of the Centre for Disease control (CDC) and the USAID - through the Local Chapters and Implementing partners in Lesotho. Likewise, the local country AHF Office pulled all plugs to support and provide their services. Foremost, was the unwavering accommodation and support of the Highest Office in the Country, His Majesty King Letsie III, His Government, through the Ministry of Health in Lesotho to partner with Rotary and Rotarians to provide this grand Service Above Self
- Maud B Boikanyo Ms, Local Project Coordinator
Rotary Family Health Days reporting: Lesotho
As a result of movement and gathering restrictions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, our 2020 campaign was unable to take place
Access the report/s below
Rotary Family Health Days Program Report
If you would like to read additional country reports
SPONSORS/PARTNERS
Partners in the Lesotho public/private partnership included: