On Wednesday this week, the country marked a historic moment with the official handing over of the construction site for the nation’s first-ever cancer center.
The event, which included a groundbreaking ceremony, was attended by government officials, healthcare professionals, and members of the public.
During the ceremony, ‘Maneo Moliehi Ntene, Principal Secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Health, spoke candidly about the financial strain the country faces due to the referral of cancer patients to South Africa for treatment.
“Our country’s funds are being eroded to South Africa through cancer treatment for Basotho,” Ntene said. “South African hospitals are even proud to state that Lesotho plays a key role in helping them reach their monetary targets, thanks to the payments made by the Lesotho government for cancer patients referred there.”
Specialists have highlighted the significant increase in treatment costs over the years, stating that in 2015, Lesotho paid at least M145,000 for the treatment of one cancer patient.
By 2023, that amount had risen to M220,000.
“Due to the burden of appointments for treatment in South Africa, some of this money was paid for patients who had already passed on before they could attend their scheduled treatments,” Ntene shared, underscoring the critical need for a local cancer treatment facility.
The tender for the construction of the center was awarded to a joint venture between Plem Construction and G.L Civils and Construction.
Dr Kabelo Mputsoe, Clinical and Radiation Oncologist, expressed gratitude on behalf of cancer patients, saying that the new center would be a major breakthrough in the country’s healthcare system.
“Once the center is completed, patients will be treated in their own country by people who better understand them,” Mputsoe said. She acknowledged that current facilities, such as the Sankatana Oncology Clinic, are inadequate for cancer treatment.
“We are currently using buildings that are not suited for cancer treatment, and it has been an ongoing struggle for years,” she explained. “The idea of having a cancer center in Lesotho dates back to 2012, and we are proud that it is finally becoming a reality.”
Mputsoe also revealed concerning statistics on the rise of cancer cases in Lesotho, with 625 cases reported in 2023 and 750 new cases already recorded in 2024.
“All types of cancers are found in Lesotho, but the most prevalent are cervical cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer,” she said.
Mokhothu Makhalanyane, chairperson of the parliamentary social cluster committee, echoed the significance of the project.
“The struggle to establish a cancer center has been ongoing for a long time, and many lives have been lost in the process,” Makhalanyane said. “The committee fully supports the Ministry of Health in ensuring this project is completed.”
Health Minister Selibe Mochoboroane spoke about the delays in the project, particularly surrounding the tender process. Mochoboroane also highlighted the potential benefits of the construction phase, which is expected to create between 305 and 400 jobs.
“This project will benefit all Basotho, regardless of their background or where they come from,” he said, emphasising the economic and social impact of the cancer center.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
