Seabata Mahao
The Health for All Through Sports initiative culminated in a vibrant community celebration last Saturday at the football grounds of Qoaling, in Maseru.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, USAID, and the Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission (LSRC), the event blended the excitement of sports with essential healthcare services, bringing joy and health to children, adolescents, and their families.
Attendees could access critical screenings, vaccinations, and consultations, all while enjoying an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie.
Sports Triumphs and Community Spirit
The day’s competitions featured thrilling performances across various sports categories:
- Netball: Abia Girls Netball Team clinched victory, earning brand-new jerseys, medals, and a trophy.
- Football:
- Under-14 Boys: Mpaola FC emerged champions.
- Under-14 Girls: Emmanuel FC secured the top spot.
- Under-19 Boys: Mpaola FC claimed another victory.
- Under-19 Girls: Emmanuel FC triumphed again.
Other competitions brought the community together in unique and creative ways:
- Lotto Challenge:
- 1st Place: Ha-Khabo
- 2nd Place: Sehlabeng
- 3rd Place: Seoli One
- Target Games:
- 1st Place: Abia Moreneng
- 2nd Place: Pitomohong
- 3rd Place: Monyau
- Point-to-Point Race:
- 1st Place: Ha-Khabo
- 2nd Place: Matšoareng
- 3rd Place: Sehlabeng
- Fill-the-Water Challenge:
- 1st Place: Sehlabeng
- 2nd Place: Matšoareng
- 3rd Place: Khubelu
- Tug of War:
- 1st Place: Sehlabeng
- 2nd Place: Monyane
- 3rd Place: Khubelu
- Dance Competition: Best Performance: Matšoareng
Innovative Approach to Healthcare
The event was not just about games and trophies. It provided a platform for critical healthcare services, including vaccinations, health screenings, and consultations, ensuring even the most remote residents could access essential care. Health tents stationed around the grounds were busy throughout the day, serving young and old alike.
This innovative combination of sports and healthcare emphasised the initiative’s deeper goal: closing healthcare gaps, particularly for children and adolescents in underserved communities.
Men hail ‘Health for All’ initiative for bringing services closer
Ntsoaki Motaung
The Promoting Health Outcomes Using Sport initiative, spearheaded by UNICEF Lesotho, the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission (LSRC), and the Ministry of Health, concluded its outreach programs in Maseru, Berea, Mohale’s Hoek, and Leribe.
These districts were strategically selected due to their lower vaccination rates, and the initiative sought to improve health outcomes by combining sports events with accessible healthcare services.
Bringing Health Services to the Community
The initiative offered on-site health screenings and vaccinations, including those for high blood pressure, cervical cancer, diabetes, HIV, and prostate cancer.
Vaccines available included the COVID-19 vaccine, HPV vaccine, and various child immunisations. This innovative approach aimed to bridge the gap between healthcare facilities and communities, especially for populations less likely to access services—such as men.
Qoaling community member Sekhoane Maqala on Saturday praised the initiative for making health services more accessible. Maqala expressed that having services brought directly to communities removes barriers like long queues and time constraints that often deter men from visiting health facilities.
“It is not easy for men to take time from their busy schedules to visit health facilities,” he explained. “But if services are brought to us this way, it is easier to make time because we avoid the whole day spent waiting in queues.”
Mofoka Semeka shared a similar sentiment, admitting he typically avoids health facilities unless urged by his wife.
“Last time, I only went because my wife forced me. However, the services were excellent, as they were today,” he said. Semeka suggested that such community outreach programs should occur at least once a month to encourage more men to access care.
He also highlighted a common concern: the lack of medication at health facilities, which often forces patients to buy medicine from pharmacies.
Tefo Mabase added that another barrier for men was the discomfort of being served primarily by women in healthcare settings. While Mabase indicated that he now regularly seeks healthcare, he emphasised that bringing services closer to communities reduces costs and eliminates excuses for delays.
“When health services come to us, no one can complain about transport expenses or long waits,” he stated.
A Model for Future Outreach
The Health for All initiative demonstrated the potential for innovative healthcare delivery in Lesotho. By combining sports with accessible health services, it not only improved vaccination rates but also encouraged men, traditionally less likely to seek healthcare, to participate actively.
As calls for more frequent community-based health services grow, this initiative leaves a lasting impact and serves as a model for improving public health in rural and underserved areas.
