AGP Executive Report

Hospital Accountability: Lesotho’s Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) is under Public Accounts Committee scrutiny over procurement and vehicle hire irregularities, including claims of hiring without inspection and a lack of a clear procurement policy. Governance & Oversight: The Office of the Auditor-General launched a five-year plan to strengthen audit independence, coverage and quality, aiming to boost transparency in public spending. Food Security Support: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane handed over 150+ tractors and farming machines to youth, women and farmers’ groups, with financing plans meant to make equipment more affordable. Livestock Health Funding Questions: A dipping levy linked to wool and mohair disease control is being investigated after reports of M15 million being deducted from farmers’ proceeds, raising concerns about where the money went. Labour & Workplace Safety: South Africa labour inspectors found alleged violations in KZN factory raids, including workers lacking PPE, contracts, minimum wages and payslips. Migration Health Risks: Reports say 178,000+ migrants have left South Africa amid deportations and anti-foreigner pressure, with advocacy groups warning of disruptions to schooling and HIV treatment access. HIV Prevention Progress: UNAIDS highlights major gains in HIV outcomes and points to new prevention options, including long-acting medicines in late-stage development. Maternal Health Partnerships: India–Lesotho cooperation continues to expand, including healthcare and capacity building, while regional efforts highlight renewed focus on maternal and newborn care.

Workplace Safety & Immigration Enforcement: South African labour inspectors, with police and home affairs, carried out unannounced factory raids in Hammersdale, alleging workers were denied PPE and uniforms, lacked contracts and payslips, and faced unsafe conditions—while foreign workers were also arrested. Migration Health Risks: Authorities in migrants’ home countries report that more than 178,000 people have left South Africa amid deportations and anti-foreigner violence, including returns from Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Lesotho; advocacy groups warn of children being pulled from school and people living with HIV being cut off from treatment. Public Finance Accountability: Lesotho’s Auditor-General unveiled a 2026–2031 strategic plan to strengthen audit independence, coverage, quality, and impact—aimed at improving transparency and public confidence. Hospital Governance: Lesotho’s Public Accounts Committee questioned why a Queen ’Mamohato Memorial Hospital payroll manager’s dismissal letter was allegedly withheld while he was advised to resign to keep benefits. HIV Prevention Momentum: UNAIDS reports major progress in HIV prevention and treatment access, with several countries including Lesotho among those achieving large reductions in new infections since 2010. Education in Conflict: Lesotho urged urgent AU action to protect schools, teachers and learners from armed conflict, warning that disrupted education can deepen poverty and instability. Lesotho-India Cooperation: India and Lesotho reviewed cooperation across trade, agriculture, healthcare, education, IT and capacity building at the 6th Joint Bilateral Commission meeting, with further engagement discussed.

HIV & AIDS Update: UNAIDS reports new HIV infections and AIDS deaths are at their lowest in 30+ years, with Lesotho among seven countries seeing nearly 80% fewer new infections since 2010, while prevention breakthroughs like lenacapavir injections are moving toward wider use. Maternal Health Push: Kenya’s Ministry of Health and the Beginnings Fund signed a five-year deal to expand quality maternal and newborn care, aiming to prevent tens of thousands of deaths—an approach that resonates regionally for Lesotho’s own maternal and child health priorities. Public Health Leadership & Alcohol Harm: Southern Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance Secretary General Aadielah Maker Diedericks highlights decades of work across HIV, gender equality and evidence-based alcohol policy to protect vulnerable families, including in Lesotho. Local Health System Scrutiny: Lesotho’s Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital remains under pressure as Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee probes staffing and financial controls, with allegations tied to past health ministry hirings. Health Through Education: Econet Telecom Lesotho’s Higherlife Foundation sponsored five students to study in the US in fields linked to healthcare and innovation, supporting long-term capacity building. Regional Health Cooperation: India and Lesotho reaffirmed cooperation across trade and development, including healthcare and education, through the latest Joint Bilateral Commission meeting. Migration & Health Access: South Africa’s migrant debate is heating up after official data showed international migrants are under 4% of the population, raising concerns about how xenophobia can affect access to services like health care.

Cardiovascular Risk Watch: A new global study in JAMA reports the number of adults with elevated LDL has surged from 2.5 billion (1990) to 4.6 billion (2023), even as LDL-related deaths and disability-adjusted life-years fell—meaning the burden is shifting toward more middle-income countries. HIV Prevention Momentum: UNAIDS reports new HIV infections and AIDS deaths are at their lowest in 30+ years, with countries including Lesotho among those cutting infections since 2010; the report also points to a “prevention revolution” with injectable and pill options nearing wider rollout. Regional HIV Care Research: At the 26th International AIDS Conference, African-led studies highlighted locally generated answers for treatment failure, ageing people living with HIV, and protecting mothers and children—key for programmes across the region. Public Health Advocacy Spotlight: Aadielah Maker Diedericks, Secretary General of the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance, is profiled for decades of work linking alcohol harm reduction with HIV, sexual and reproductive health, and equality across Southern Africa. Governance & Health Systems: Lesotho’s Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital remains under scrutiny as Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee probes hiring and financial controls, including a petty cash accounting issue. Maternal Health Partnerships: Kenya’s Ministry of Health and the Beginnings Fund launched a five-year maternal and newborn care push—an example of workforce, medicines, referral and health information support that Lesotho readers may watch for regional lessons. Education in Conflict: Lesotho urged urgent African action to protect schools and learners from armed conflict, warning that education disruption can deepen poverty and instability.

Education & Health Workforce: Econet Telecom Lesotho’s Higherlife Foundation has sponsored five Basotho students to study in the US, with degrees in areas like Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience—aimed at strengthening Lesotho’s future healthcare and development capacity. HIV Response Watch: UNAIDS reports global HIV progress is fragile as donor funding cuts threaten prevention and community services; it also highlights that countries including Lesotho have achieved major reductions in new infections since 2010 and are among those meeting key treatment targets. HIV Treatment Innovation: At AIDS 2026, African-led research presented on safer treatment approaches for people experiencing treatment failure and on protecting mothers and children, including work involving Lesotho. Maternal & Newborn Care: Kenya’s five-year Beginnings Fund partnership (USD 80m) targets quality maternal and newborn services—an approach Lesotho health leaders may watch as a model for reducing preventable deaths. Health System Accountability: Lesotho’s Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital continues to face scrutiny at Parliament over hirings and financial controls, including questions about petty cash handling. Regional Health Planning: Lesotho is set to host an ECSA-HC health forum in Manzini, bringing together 300+ delegates to shape health security and sustainable healthcare recommendations. Health & Migration Pressure: Coverage on forced displacement and migration stresses how instability and competition for services can strain access to health and education.

HIV & AIDS: UNAIDS warns that cuts to HIV prevention and community services could spark a resurgence, even as new infections and AIDS deaths hit their lowest levels in 30+ years; the report flags fragile progress and urges sustained funding. HIV Treatment in the region: New HIV research presented at the International AIDS Conference includes a multi-country study involving Lesotho, focusing on managing treatment failure and drug resistance on dolutegravir-based therapy. Maternal health: Kenya and the Beginnings Fund signed a five-year deal to expand quality maternal and newborn care—an approach that could interest Lesotho as it looks to strengthen referral networks, essential medicines, and health information systems. Hospital governance (Lesotho): Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee continues probing Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital hiring and finances, including questions over petty cash controls and how medical bills for an official patient abroad were handled. Blood donation: Lesotho’s health minister urged Basotho to donate blood, pushing for stronger community support for lifesaving supplies. Education in conflict: Lesotho called for urgent protection of schools and learners during armed conflict at an African Union peace and security session.

SADC Leadership & Regional Health Context: South Africa is set to host the 46th SADC Heads of State summit in Durban on Aug 17, with Lesotho among 16 member states—an agenda that includes infrastructure, food security and regional integration that can shape health supply chains and access. HIV Prevention Update for Lesotho: UNAIDS reports new HIV infections and AIDS deaths are at their lowest in 30+ years, but warns progress is fragile as donor funding drops; it highlights Lesotho among countries achieving major reductions since 2010 and flags a prevention “revolution” with new medicines moving toward wider use. HIV Care Research (Lesotho in focus): Studies presented at the 26th International AIDS Conference include African-led work on treatment failure and drug resistance, with Lesotho named in multi-country research cohorts. QMMH Governance & Accountability: Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee continues probing Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital hirings and finances, including petty cash controls and questions over staffing and procurement—issues that directly affect patient care. Maternal & Newborn Care Partnerships: While Kenya’s programme is in the news, it signals regional momentum: a five-year maternal and newborn partnership aims to strengthen health workers, medicines, referrals and information systems—lessons Lesotho can watch closely. Education in Conflict: Lesotho urged urgent AU action to protect schools, teachers and learners during armed conflict, warning education disruption can fuel long-term instability. Health System Funding Pressure (Global): UNAIDS also warns that cuts to HIV prevention and community services could trigger resurgence, even as treatment targets are met in some countries.

HIV Response Under Pressure: UNAIDS warns that cuts to international HIV prevention and community services could spark a resurgence, even as new infections and AIDS deaths hit their lowest levels in 30+ years; the report flags 1.2 million new infections and 570,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2025, with progress in countries including Lesotho but fragile gains overall. HIV Prevention Breakthrough: UNAIDS also highlights a “prevention revolution” with new tools like lenacapavir, alongside expanding access to prevention medicines and ongoing negotiations on pricing for twice-yearly injections in South Africa. Local Health Governance Scrutiny: Lesotho’s Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital remains under the spotlight as Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee probes financial controls, including petty cash handling, and moves to block a Netcare payout until retired employees receive outstanding severance and provident fund benefits. Maternal Health Partnerships: Kenya’s Ministry of Health and the Beginnings Fund signed a five-year deal to expand quality maternal and newborn care—an example of regional momentum that Lesotho health stakeholders may watch closely. Education in Conflict: Lesotho called for urgent continental action to protect schools and learners during armed conflict, warning that prolonged disruption can deepen poverty and instability. Health System Capacity & Accountability: The QMMH inquiry continues to raise questions about staffing and governance, with PAC hearings pressing for clearer accountability and proper procedures.

HIV Funding Warning: UNAIDS says cuts to HIV prevention and community services could spark a resurgence, citing 1.2 million new infections and 570,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2025 as donor support drops. Maternal Health Deal (Kenya): Kenya and the Beginnings Fund signed a five-year, Sh10.4bn partnership to expand quality maternal and newborn care in high-volume facilities, aiming to prevent tens of thousands of deaths. Lesotho Health System Scrutiny (QMMH): Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee grilled Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital over financial controls, including a M30,000 petty cash withdrawal, and is also set to block a Netcare payment until retirees’ severance and provident fund benefits are paid. Regional Health Meeting (Eswatini): Lesotho is among countries expected to send delegates to an ECSA health forum in Manzini focused on health security, innovation and sustainability. Health & Wellness Call: Lesotho’s health minister urged Basotho to donate blood.

Blood Supply Alert: Lesotho’s Health Minister Mamokete Ntšekhe warned of worsening blood shortages, saying hospitals are losing lives because they can’t secure enough blood for emergency transfusions, and urged Basotho to donate regularly instead of relying on relatives during crises. Hospital Accountability: Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee grilled Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) over financial controls, including a M30,000 petty cash withdrawal that the finance manager could not fully account for, as well as wider concerns around governance and procurement. QMMH PPP Fallout: The PAC says it will try to block a multi-million-maloti Netcare payment until retired QMMH employees receive outstanding severance and provident fund benefits, following the 2021 PPP cancellation. Maternal Care Partnership (Regional): Kenya signed a five-year Beginnings Fund deal to expand quality maternal and newborn care—an example of how health systems can be strengthened through workforce, medicines, referral networks and health information. HIV Funding Warning (Regional): UNAIDS warned that cuts to HIV prevention and community services could drive a resurgence, citing 1.2 million new infections and 570,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2025 as funding fell sharply. Health Sector Planning: Lesotho’s agriculture ministry validated a Public Private Dialogue action plan to move farming from subsistence to commercial production, aiming to improve food security and nutrition through a new working group.

Blood shortage alarm: Lesotho’s Health Minister Mamokete Ntšekhe says hospitals are losing lives due to a worsening blood shortage and urges Basotho to donate blood regularly, not only in emergencies. HIV funding pressure: UNAIDS warns that cuts to international HIV prevention and community services could trigger a resurgence, citing 1.2 million new infections and 570,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2025 as global aid falls. QMMH governance scrutiny: Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee says it will try to block a Netcare payout until retired Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital staff receive outstanding severance and provident fund benefits, as PAC continues probing hospital hiring and financial controls. Maternal care partnership (regional): Kenya signed a five-year USD 80m deal to strengthen maternal and newborn health across 21 counties—an example of what Lesotho and the region may learn as they push for safer childbirth outcomes. Digital health push: Econet Telecom Lesotho and UNDP renewed an MoU to accelerate digital transformation and AI, including support for digital public infrastructure that could strengthen health service delivery. Climate-health risk: Africa is on high alert for a likely historic El Niño, with warnings of droughts, floods and disease outbreaks unless countries prepare now.

HIV Funding Pressure: UNAIDS warns that cuts to international HIV prevention and community services could trigger a resurgence, citing 1.2 million new infections and 570,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2025 as global aid fell sharply. Maternal & Newborn Care: Kenya signed a five-year Beginnings Fund partnership worth Sh10.4bn to strengthen maternal and newborn services in 21 priority counties, aiming to prevent tens of thousands of deaths through better health workers, medicines, referrals and health information systems. Lesotho Blood Shortage: Lesotho’s health minister urged Basotho to donate blood after warning that preventable deaths are linked to critical shortages for emergency transfusions, especially for road-accident victims, childbirth complications and blood-cell illnesses. QMMH Accountability: Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee continued probing Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital finances, including petty cash controls and moves to block a Netcare payout until retirees’ severance and provident fund benefits are paid. Regional Health Meeting: Eswatini will host 300+ regional health experts for an ECSA-HC forum on health security, innovation and sustainability. HIV Research in the Region: New HIV care studies presented at AIDS 2026 highlight African-led work relevant to treatment failure, drug resistance and protecting mothers and children, including research involving Lesotho. Digital Development: Econet Telecom Lesotho and UNDP renewed an MoU to accelerate digital transformation and AI for public services and development. Public Health Workforce/Access: Lesotho’s blood drive and donation push underline ongoing access gaps that can quickly become life-threatening in emergencies.

HIV Funding Crisis: UNAIDS warns that donor cuts are driving a resurgence risk, citing 1.2 million new HIV infections and 570,000 AIDS deaths in 2025, with progress “fragile” without sustained prevention and community services. Blood Shortage Alarm: Lesotho’s health minister urges regular voluntary blood donation after warning that hospitals are losing lives due to emergency transfusion shortages, especially for road accident victims, childbirth complications, and blood-cell-depleting illnesses. QMMH Accountability: Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee continues probing Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital, including a petty cash shortfall and calls to block a Netcare payout until retirees’ severance and provident fund benefits are paid. QMMH Hiring Questions: Sources say the ruling Revolution for Prosperity may pursue former health minister Selibe Mochoboroane over alleged irregular QMMH hirings, after PAC scrutiny. Sanitation & Health: An MP reports toilet upgrades at Matikoe high school and new toilets at Tseka primary, linking sanitation to SDG progress and better health at school. Digital Health Partnerships: Econet Telecom Lesotho and UNDP renew an MoU to push digital transformation and AI to improve public services. Regional Health Meeting: Eswatini will host 300+ health experts for an ECSA-HC best practices forum on health security, innovation, and sustainability.

Blood Shortage Alert: Lesotho’s Health Minister Mamokete Ntšekhe says preventable deaths are rising as hospitals face critical blood shortages, urging Basotho to donate regularly instead of relying on relatives during emergencies. Hospital Accountability: Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee continues probing Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) after a finance manager could not account for a M30,000 petty cash withdrawal, raising fresh questions about controls and governance. QMMH Hiring Scrutiny: Sources report the ruling Revolution for Prosperity is preparing action over alleged irregular hirings at QMMH during former health minister Selibe Mochoboroane’s tenure, with the matter tied to PAC discussions. QMMH Retiree Payments vs Netcare: PAC says it will try to block a M237.94 million Netcare debt payment until retired QMMH staff receive outstanding severance and provident fund benefits. Digital Health & Development: Econet Telecom Lesotho and UNDP renewed an MoU to push digital transformation and AI for better public services. Regional Health Cooperation: Eswatini’s hosting of a large ECSA health experts meeting is reported, while Lesotho-linked regional health forums are also in focus. HIV Funding Warning: UNAIDS warns that cuts to HIV prevention and community services could trigger a resurgence, even as infections and deaths remain at multi-decade lows. Education & Health Links: Lesotho’s blood donation push and sanitation upgrades at schools highlight how health services and wellbeing depend on everyday systems.

Blood shortage: Lesotho’s Health Minister Mamokete Ntšekhe says preventable deaths are rising as hospitals face critical blood shortages, urging Basotho to donate regularly instead of relying on relatives during emergencies. Hospital accountability: Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) is under fresh scrutiny after PAC questioned a M30,000 petty cash withdrawal that the finance manager could not fully account for, raising wider concerns about controls and governance. Retiree benefits vs Netcare: PAC says it will try to block a M237.94 million Netcare payment linked to the cancelled PPP, until retired QMMH employees receive outstanding severance and provident fund benefits. Regional health meeting: Eswatini will host 300+ regional health experts for an ECSA-HC forum on health security, innovation and sustainability, with Lesotho among participating countries. HIV funding warning: UNAIDS warns that cuts to HIV prevention and community services could trigger a resurgence, even as infections and deaths remain low in many places. Education funding gap: A Lesotho editorial flags that the 1978 student loan bursary system is outdated and not revolving, with repayment rates far too low and colleges left unpaid. US visa changes affecting region: The US is shifting routine visa processing to regional hubs, with changes affecting several African posts including Maseru, and requiring applicants to use designated centres.

Blood Supply Crisis: Health Minister Mamokete Ntšekhe warned that Lesotho is facing worsening blood shortages, with preventable deaths linked to hospitals lacking blood for emergency transfusions, urging Basotho to donate regularly instead of relying on relatives during crises. HIV Funding Warning: UNAIDS says global HIV prevention funding fell sharply in 2025, putting progress at risk and increasing fears of a resurgence, even as new infections and AIDS deaths remain at multi-decade lows. Regional Health Meeting: Lesotho will host 300+ delegates for an ECSA-HC Best Practices Forum and directors’ meeting (Aug 5–7) focused on health security, innovation and sustainability. Sanitation Push: An MP-backed effort is revamping toilets at Matikoe High School and building new ones at Tseka Primary to improve hygiene, support SDGs, and protect children’s health. Digital Transformation: Econet Telecom Lesotho and UNDP renewed an MoU to accelerate digital transformation and AI adoption to strengthen institutions and public service delivery. HIV & Prevention Tools: UNAIDS highlights new prevention medicines and injections in development, but stresses access and scale remain major hurdles. Commonwealth Games Health Angle: A dramatic boxing knockout involving Lesotho’s Refiloe Thai at Glasgow sparked immediate medical attention and renewed debate on boxer safety.