Lesotho, Partners Make Strides in Cancer Care with New Facility and Increased Awareness
Oru Leonard
Maseru, Lesotho – In a significant step forward in the country’s healthcare journey, Lesotho has commenced construction of its first Cancer Care facility, which will offer radiotherapy services and reduce the need for patients to seek treatment abroad.
The new center is part of the government’s efforts to address the growing concern of cancer in the country. According to the Senkatana Oncology Clinic, approximately 1,888 new cancer cases were reported in Lesotho in 2023, with around 500 of them being cervical cancer cases.
The facility’s construction is a collaborative effort between the Government of Lesotho, development partners, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Standard Lesotho Bank has contributed 1.9 million maloti to support the project.
Minister of Health Hon Selibe Mochoboroane announced the government’s commitment to establishing a dedicated cancer treatment center during the 2025 World Cancer Day commemoration. He acknowledged the vital contributions of development partners and NGOs in providing educational resources, equipment, and expert assistance.
The new facility will not only provide much-needed cancer treatment services but also offer hope and resilience to cancer patients and survivors in Lesotho. Stories of survivors like Maatang Chaka and Joalane Tsupane, who battled breast cancer and leukemia respectively, highlight the urgent need to bridge the gaps in cancer services in the nation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Lesotho, Dr. Innocent Nuwagira, emphasized the importance of integrating cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and palliative care into broader health services to close the existing healthcare gaps.
With the new cancer facility, Lesotho is taking a significant step forward in its healthcare journey, and cancer patients will no longer need to travel abroad for treatment and care.
