AGP Executive Report

Maternal health staffing: Lesotho is seeing more male midwives as rural shortages and high childbirth deaths push the country to train men for prenatal and delivery support, with reports highlighting how male midwives are gradually accepted and can help bring care closer to women who otherwise deliver far from facilities. Oral health push: The Minister of Health, ’Mamokete Ntšekhe, will close Lesotho’s Oral Health Awareness campaign in Leribe under the theme “A Healthy Mouth, Is A Happy Mind,” as officials link poor oral hygiene to wider conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Digital health & training: The National Health Training College hosted Lesotho’s Digital Innovators Summit 2026, focusing on using digital tools and AI responsibly to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Anti-trafficking awareness: In Berea, the IOM held a workshop with Lesotho departments to strengthen action against trafficking in persons, including better case identification, investigation and survivor-centred support across districts. Health system integrity: A Maseru court sentenced a man to an effective 10 years for posing as a Ministry of Health official and running a job scam that defrauded applicants. Cyber safety: Hungry Lion says customer credentials were exposed for months, with researchers pointing to compromised accounts tied to online portals, including locations across Lesotho and the region.

Women’s Health & Fitness: Six women from Bloemfontein’s Maoto Mpepe Hiking Club, aged 40–60, are set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania from 22 September to 4 October, using the challenge to celebrate resilience and encourage women to prioritise both mental and physical wellbeing. Oral Health: Lesotho’s Minister of Health ’Mamokete Ntšekhe will close the Oral Health Awareness campaign in Leribe under the theme “A Healthy Mouth, Is A Happy Mind,” as officials link poor oral hygiene to wider conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Maternal Health Workforce: A growing number of male midwives are supporting safer childbirth in rural Lesotho, with one midwife describing long travel to reach women at clinics and noting community acceptance is improving. Digital Health & Training: Lesotho’s National Health Training College hosted a Digital Innovators Summit on transforming healthcare delivery using tools like electronic records, AI, and mobile health. Public Health & Safety: IOM is intensifying awareness and stakeholder action against trafficking in persons in Berea, focusing on stronger case identification, investigation and victim support. Cybersecurity & Consumer Risk: Hungry Lion says customer credentials were exposed for months, with researchers pointing to compromised accounts tied to online portals.

Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Push: IOM held a workshop in Berea with Heads of Departments to strengthen Lesotho’s response to trafficking, linking risk to poverty and vulnerability and stressing better case identification, intelligence, investigation, prosecution, and survivor-centred support across all 10 districts. Oral Health Awareness: The Minister of Health, ’Mamokete Ntšekhe, will close Leribe’s oral health campaign under “A Healthy Mouth, Is A Happy Mind,” as officials warn tooth decay and gum disease remain major challenges, especially in rural areas. Maternal Care, With Male Midwives: Reports from Mohale’s Hoek highlight a growing group of male midwives helping reduce childbirth deaths, with communities gradually accepting men in midwifery roles. Digital Health & Tech Skills: The National Health Training College hosted Lesotho’s Digital Innovators Summit 2026, focusing on using AI, e-records, mobile health and data systems to improve access and patient outcomes. Cybersecurity for Consumers: Hungry Lion says customer credentials were exposed for months after a ransomware-linked incident, with researchers pointing to compromised accounts tied to its online portals. Health System Integrity: A Maseru court sentenced a man to an effective 10 years for posing as a Ministry of Health official and running a job scam targeting health job seekers.

Oral Health: Lesotho’s Health Minister ’Mamokete Ntšekhe will close the Oral Health Awareness campaign in Leribe under “A Healthy Mouth, Is A Happy Mind,” as officials warn tooth decay and gum disease remain major rural challenges and link poor oral hygiene to conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Maternal Care & Workforce: A report highlights the growing role of male midwives in Lesotho, where men are joining midwifery to help reduce deaths around childbirth, with one male midwife describing long travel to serve pregnant women in remote clinics. Digital Health: The National Health Training College hosted the Digital Innovators Summit 2026, focusing on how digital health innovation can improve access and patient outcomes, from electronic records to AI and mobile learning. Community Mental Health & GBV: UNDP and partners ran a Creative Challenge in Maseru using art to tackle gender-based violence, substance abuse and mental health, giving young people a platform for solutions. Traditional Medicine Protection: Traditional Doctors Lesotho marked African Traditional Medicine Day, calling for stronger protection of indigenous medicinal plants and more research to support universal health coverage. Health System Integrity: A Maseru court sentenced a man to an effective 10 years for posing as a Ministry of Health official and running a job scam that defrauded applicants. TB & Silicosis Claims: Tshiamiso Trust says it has paid R2.53bn to 26,300 mineworkers and dependents in its TB and silicosis settlement, while urging more claimants to come forward as the mandate nears its final years. Health & Wellness Products: Chi Time Teas, built from natural health practices, is expanding from local production to stores across South Africa and international exports.

Male midwives in Lesotho: A growing number of men are training and working as midwives in rural clinics like Mpharane Health Centre, as Lesotho pushes to cut high pregnancy-related deaths and improve access to skilled birth care. Digital health push: The National Health Training College hosted the Digital Innovators Summit 2026, spotlighting how AI, electronic records, mobile health and better data systems could improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Maternal health and gender norms: Coverage highlights how male midwives are challenging traditional views, with plans to route women to female staff if they feel uncomfortable. Health workforce pay debate: A viral payslip breakdown of a Lesotho intern doctor’s salary sparked public debate on whether pay is fair. Traditional medicine protection: Traditional doctors called for stronger protection of indigenous medicinal plants and more research to support traditional medicine within universal health coverage. TB and silicosis claims: Tshiamiso Trust reports faster claims activity and compensation progress for mineworkers affected by TB and silicosis, with Lesotho among the highest claim pay-outs. Health sector integrity: A Maseru court sentenced a man to an effective 10 years for posing as a Ministry of Health official in a job scam. Health and climate links: An El Niño preparedness action plan is being developed in Leribe to protect vulnerable communities from worsening food insecurity.

Digital Health Push: The National Health Training College hosted the Digital Innovators Summit 2026, spotlighting how AI, electronic records, mobile health and data systems can improve access and patient outcomes in Lesotho. Traditional Medicine Protection: Lesotho’s Director of Traditional Doctors marked African Traditional Medicine Day, calling for stronger research, use of indigenous medicinal plants, and safeguards against climate change threats to those plants. Maternal Care Staffing: Male midwives are increasingly supporting safer births in rural Lesotho, with UNICEF data cited that 92% of deliveries are now attended by trained health workers. Health Fraud Crackdown: A Maseru court sentenced a man to an effective 10 years for posing as a Ministry of Health official and defrauding job seekers in a fake employment scheme. TB and Silicosis Claims: Tshiamiso Trust reports a 64% jump in silicosis and work-related TB claim lodgements, with R2.53bn already paid to 26,300 claimants, as it moves into the final years of its mandate. Disease Control: Lesotho is preparing to administer Botswana’s foot-and-mouth disease vaccine in Botha-Bothe as outbreaks spread, with movement restrictions and veterinary clearance emphasized.

Male midwives in Lesotho: At Mpharane Health Centre in Mohale’s Hoek, about 300 male midwives are helping close gaps in rural maternity care, with authorities noting that 92% of births are now attended by trained providers—while communities gradually accept men in a traditionally women-led role. Maternal health and contraception research: A new analysis on adolescent girls and young women highlights how unmet contraception needs and unintended pregnancy remain major drivers of sexual and reproductive health problems in high-HIV-prevalence Southern African settings. Mineworkers’ TB and silicosis payouts: Tshiamiso Trust reports a 64% jump in claim lodgements to 13,337, and says it has paid R2.53bn to 26,300 eligible claimants, as it moves into the final years of processing. Digital health push: The Digital Innovators Summit at the National Health Training College will bring together WHO, UNICEF and Vodacom to discuss AI, health data and patient-centred care. Health-adjacent justice: A Maseru court sentenced a man to an effective 10 years for posing as a Ministry of Health official in a job scam targeting health workers.

Maternal health workforce: Lesotho is seeing a rare shift as male midwives—like Ntlahane Sehloho at Mpharane Health Centre—are trained and deployed to help tackle high pregnancy-related deaths in rural areas, with officials saying women who feel uncomfortable can request female staff. Health system & governance: A Maseru court sentenced Tsebang Ramoholi to an effective 10 years for posing as a Ministry of Health official and defrauding job seekers with fake employment contracts, highlighting how health-sector information can be exploited. TB and silicosis support: Tshiamiso Trust says it has paid R2.53bn to 26,300 eligible mineworkers and dependents, with claims lodgements up 64% year-on-year, but some beneficiaries still report delays in medical exams and paperwork. Digital health push: The National Health Training College will host DIS2026, a Digital Innovators Summit focused on using AI and data to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Animal health with public-health ripple: Lesotho is preparing to administer Botswana’s foot-and-mouth disease vaccine in Botha-Bothe, while authorities tighten cattle movement controls to stop spread. Climate and health risk: A Leribe action plan is being developed to prepare for anticipated El Niño impacts, with food insecurity concerns already flagged.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD): Lesotho is in the regional spotlight as Botswana donates 100,000 FMD vaccine doses to help protect cattle, with officials urging stronger cross-border livestock monitoring and vaccination to stop outbreaks spreading. Livestock movement controls: Zimbabwe tightened cattle movement restrictions in Matabeleland North and South after new FMD cases, warning farmers not to move animals without veterinary clearance—an approach Lesotho can learn from as the region battles the same threat. Mineworker TB and silicosis payouts: Tshiamiso Trust reports faster claims activity, with 64% more lodgements year-on-year and R2.53bn already paid to 26,300 eligible claimants, but some beneficiaries still struggle to access medical exams and complete paperwork. Digital health push: The Digital Innovators Summit at the National Health Training College will bring together health and tech partners to discuss digital health innovation, including AI and better healthcare data use. Adolescent health research: A new analysis focuses on modern contraceptive use among sexually active adolescent girls and young women in high HIV prevalence settings, highlighting ongoing gaps that can drive unintended pregnancy. Youth wellbeing through creativity: A Maseru creative challenge urges young people to use art to speak out against gender-based violence, substance abuse and mental health challenges.

Antibiotic Resistance Research: Scientists led by the University of Pretoria are urging renewed searches of plants, fungi and microorganisms for natural compounds that could disable antibiotic-resistant bacteria and help protect existing medicines. TB and Silicosis Compensation: Tshiamiso Trust reports a 64% jump in claims lodgements to 13,337, and says it has paid R2.53bn to 26,300 eligible mineworkers and dependents, while some beneficiaries still struggle to access medical exams and updates. Livestock Health (FMD): Botswana has donated 100,000 foot-and-mouth disease vaccine doses to Lesotho, with more vaccination expected as the disease spreads and countries tighten cross-border controls. Digital Health & Access: The Digital Innovators Summit at the National Health Training College will bring together health and tech experts to discuss AI, health data and patient-centred care. Youth Wellbeing: A Maseru creative challenge urges young people to use creativity to fight gender-based violence, substance abuse and mental health challenges. Climate Preparedness: Leribe is developing an El Niño action plan after training with disaster teams and partners to reduce worsening food insecurity risks. Education Partnerships: Lesotho and China held their first quarterly dialogue under a new cooperation plan, focused on making agreements move from talks to action.

TB & silicosis payouts: Tshiamiso Trust says it has paid R2.53bn to 26,300 eligible mineworkers and dependents, with lodgements up 64% to 13,337 as it heads into the final years of its mandate—though some former miners and widows still report delays in medical exams and paperwork. Health tech push: The Digital Innovators Summit (DIS2026) at the National Health Training College will bring together WHO, UNICEF and Vodacom to discuss digital health, including AI and better patient-centred care. Adolescent health research: A new study looks at modern contraceptive use among sexually active adolescent girls and young women in high-HIV-prevalence Southern African countries, highlighting ongoing gaps that drive unintended pregnancy. Livestock disease response: Botswana is donating 100,000 doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine to Lesotho, with officials urging targeted vaccination where outbreaks are worst. Community wellbeing through music: Berea conductor Samuel Motšoeli says choral music can build discipline and discourage harmful habits like alcohol and smoking ahead of inter-district competitions. Digital resilience: Vodacom launches enterprise satellite broadband to keep connectivity reliable for health and other services in remote areas.

HIV Prevention: The US Embassy in Maseru says Lesotho has received nearly 14,000 additional doses of lenacapavir injectable PrEP, boosting the twice-yearly HIV prevention rollout that began in March. Digital Health: NHTC will host the Digital Innovators Summit (DIS2026) to spotlight digital health innovation, including AI, health data and patient-centred care. Livestock Health: Botswana has donated 100,000 foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine doses to Lesotho, with plans to prioritise high-risk areas as outbreaks spread. GBV & Youth Wellbeing: A Maseru creative challenge urged young people to fight gender-based violence, substance abuse and mental health issues through creativity and dialogue. Disability Support: Rotary Club of Maloti and the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation handed over mobility and medical equipment, including wheelchairs and crutches, reaching over 1,500 beneficiaries since 2023. Health Access Crisis: Refugees in Lesotho say a government freeze on identity cards and travel documents is trapping them and blocking access to healthcare, banking and education.

Disaster Response: President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out search and rescue after a mudslide hit the Gyirong border port in Nepal, with three deaths reported and 265 people missing as authorities verify casualties and warn of possible secondary disasters. HIV Prevention: The US Embassy in Maseru says nearly 14,000 additional doses of lenacapavir PrEP have arrived, boosting Lesotho’s twice-yearly HIV prevention injection rollout that began in March. Livestock Health: Botswana has donated 100,000 FMD vaccine doses to Lesotho to protect cattle and support faster outbreak response across districts. Digital Health & Access: The Digital Innovators Summit (DIS2026) at the National Health Training College will bring together health and tech experts to discuss digital health innovation, including AI and healthcare data. Women & Development: Princess Senate Mohato Seeiso was unveiled as UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for Equality and Sustainable Development, linking equality and sustainability to Lesotho’s 60th Independence anniversary priorities. GBV & Youth Wellbeing: Youth at a Creative Challenge 2026 event were urged to use creativity to fight gender-based violence, substance abuse and mental health challenges. Assistive Devices: Rotary Club of Maloti and the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation donated mobility and medical equipment for persons with disabilities, including wheelchairs and crutches, reaching over 1,500 beneficiaries since 2023.

HIV Prevention Boost: The US Embassy in Maseru says nearly 14,000 more doses of lenacapavir injectable PrEP have arrived, expanding Lesotho’s twice-yearly HIV prevention supply after the March rollout. Livestock Health & Food Security: Botswana has donated 100,000 FMD vaccine doses to Lesotho, while South Africa also shared 50,000 doses with Lesotho and neighbours to speed up regional outbreak preparedness. Climate Preparedness: Leribe is developing an El Niño action plan after a district disaster workshop warned some communities are already facing food insecurity. Digital Health Push: The Digital Innovators Summit (DIS2026) at the National Health Training College will bring together WHO, UNICEF and Vodacom partners to discuss digital health innovation and AI in healthcare. Agriculture & Nutrition Resilience: Government is moving to revive the Market Driven Irrigated Horticulture project in Phamong after the MCA-Lesotho II closure, aiming to keep irrigation and livelihoods on track. Health Access for People with Disabilities: Rotary Club of Maloti and the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation donated mobility and medical equipment to over 200 beneficiaries and health facilities, including wheelchairs and crutches. Public Health Context: A new regional focus on extreme heat highlights rising health risks as temperatures push bodies toward dangerous limits.

HIV Prevention: The US Embassy in Maseru says Lesotho has received nearly 14,000 additional doses of lenacapavir injectable PrEP, boosting the twice-yearly HIV prevention rollout started in March. GBV & Youth Wellbeing: In Maseru, youth were urged to fight gender-based violence, substance abuse and mental health challenges through creativity and community action at the Sebopi-UniPod Creative Challenge. Disability Access: Rotary Club of Maloti and the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation donated wheelchairs, crutches, walking frames and other assistive devices to improve healthcare access and mobility for people with disabilities, reaching over 1,500 beneficiaries since 2023. Animal Health: Botswana handed Lesotho 100,000 foot-and-mouth disease vaccine doses, as regional partners step up preparedness to protect cattle, sheep and goats. Digital Health & Services: Vodacom Lesotho launched an enterprise satellite broadband service to keep connectivity reliable for public institutions and businesses in remote areas. Hunger for Justice: Refugees say a government freeze on identity cards and travel documents is trapping them in Lesotho, blocking access to healthcare, banking, education and referrals. Local Environment: In Mafeteng, the environment minister urged communities to protect grazing lands and stop practices that damage pastures.

National Digital Health & Governance: Lesotho, with UN partners, hosted a five-day workshop to advance a National AI Strategy and a sovereign Data Centre Blueprint, building on draft AI, data management, and broadband policy frameworks to strengthen rights, innovation, and public services. Community Health & Environment: The Sebapala Integrated Watershed Management project closed after four years, restoring degraded rangelands and strengthening watershed care in the Lower Senqu Basin—driven by nearly 1,000 volunteers across 123 villages. HIV Prevention Access: The US delivered nearly 14,000 additional doses of lenacapavir injectable PrEP to expand twice-yearly HIV prevention services nationwide, following the March rollout. Disability & Care: Rotary Club of Maloti and the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation donated mobility and medical equipment (wheelchairs, crutches, walking frames, therapy chairs) to improve access to healthcare and independent living for people with disabilities. Livestock Health: Botswana handed Lesotho 100,000 foot-and-mouth disease vaccine doses, boosting regional preparedness to protect farmers’ cattle, sheep and goats. Youth & Wellbeing: Youth at Sebopi-UniPod’s Creative Challenge were urged to fight gender-based violence, substance abuse, and mental health risks through creativity and dialogue.