Lesotho is an enclave state that is surrounded on all sides by the territory of the Republic of South Africa. About 2 million people of the local population live here. Most of them (99%) are representatives of the local people called Sotho. The rest of the population is represented by Europeans and Asians. In connection with such homogeneity of the population and deep ethnic ties, the medical situation in the country is unique. The main problem is the very wide spread of infectious diseases.

Diseases in Lesotho

Since the country is located in a closed space, over time, a problem arose on its territory with the inability to treat various infectious diseases that were brought here by foreigners. And some of the diseases developed simply on its territory.

Lesotho ranks third in the world in terms of the number of people infected with the Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). According to statistics, 23% of the population is infected with it. Due to the inability of medicine to effectively treat this disease, the number of infected is constantly increasing. This is one of the reasons why healthy locals want to immigrate abroad.

Fever is also very common in Lesotho. It is transmitted in various ways. Therefore, foreigners coming to the country must definitely take the vaccine against this disease. All other infectious diseases are associated with water pollution. It can be dysentery, salmonellosis and others. For a person who came to Lesotho from a country located far away, the problem is that his body may be resistant to pathogens. Therefore, the adoption of a vaccine against various diseases is highly recommended.

Provision of medical care

The medical industry in Lesotho is underdeveloped. There are hospitals and medical centres only in large and medium-sized settlements and cities. In villages and small settlements, there are often no elementary medical facilities. There are emergency medical aid points in many enterprises. This applies to industry, manufacturing enterprises.

In places where tourists come, as a rule, there are also similar emergency centres for the provision of medical care. However, serious treatment is possible only in hospitals located in large cities. Below is a list of hospitals located in different localities of the country:

• Private Hospital in Maseru;
• Medical Center in Mafeteng;
• Berea Hospital in Taiefeyaneng;
• Wilies Hospital in Foso;
• Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital in Maseru;
• Paray Missionary Hospital in Thaba-Tseka.

This is not a complete list of existing medical institutions in different cities of Lesotho. In the event of a medical emergency, their location can always be obtained from local residents or on the Internet.

Medical service

Many doctors who work in hospitals and first-aid posts are foreigners. The government is making every effort to attract qualified medical personnel to the country. In addition, the problem of HIV infection in the country is known to the international community. Including at the UN level. Therefore, various international organizations are operating here, designed to provide medical assistance to those in need. It consists both in providing hospitals with equipment and providing assistance on the ground.

Hospitals in major cities are equipped with all the necessary medical equipment. Including for complex operations. However, this is often not the case in the provinces. However, doctors are able to provide emergency assistance.

Health insurance

The list of documents that a foreigner must present in order to obtain a visa to Lesotho includes a mandatory vaccination against fever. It is also recommended to use clean filtered water, which is better to buy in a store.

To avoid possible problems, it is recommended to purchase health insurance before traveling to Lesotho. This can be done at a professional immigration office or an insurance company. The choice of one or another insurance option depends on the services included in the list. And accordingly, its cost. The period of validity of the insurance must necessarily coincide with the time of stay of the foreigner who bought it in the territory of the state.