Lesotho’s well-documented health challenges have once again been revisited, with recent revelations that some health centres in the country are manned by nurses instead of medical doctors.
According to an International Organisation for Migration report, health personnel to population ratio in Lesotho as a result is severely compromised, with five physicians and 62 nurses per 100,000 people.
The critical shortage of skilled health professionals has negatively affected health care in the country.
This is a crisis of cosmic proportions for a country that has been independent for 58 years. It is also a clarion call for the county’s leaders to stop their lip service and invest seriously in the health sector.
It is worth noting that Lesotho faces many health challenges, including the highest prevalence of TB and the third highest HIV globally. At the same time the country suffers from an extreme shortage of physicians, as there are less than 100 Basotho doctors practicing in Lesotho, with a large majority of these physicians located in Maseru.
Lesotho’s challenges in the healthcare sector are daunting and battling: the world’s third highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, life expectancy of 45 years, and demand that consistently outstrips the state’s ability to provide vital health care services.
Of course, we cannot overlook a factor that affects many other countries, namely increased demand. An aging population has led to a growing demand for healthcare services. This demographic shift places immense pressure on an already limited healthcare workforce. A shortage of healthcare professionals can lead to the hiring of those who are not adequately trained or experienced.
The government has to something, and now!
