Lesotho

Lesotho in the ECSA Health Community

Lesotho is one of the founding members of the ECSA Health community having joined ECSA in 1974 when it was still known as the Commonwealth Regional Health Community for East Central and Southern Africa. Lesotho hosted the Conference of health Ministers in 1976 and 1993 and has also held the chairmanship of the Advisory Committee in 1990 and 2002. The ministry of Health and Social development has consistently supported the activities and programmes of the ECSA Health community over the last three decades. Lesotho’s financial contribution to the ECSA Health Community has ensured that the secretariat functions continue to be executed in a timely manner in line with the resolutions of the Ministers of health. All subsequent ministers of Health in Lesotho since 1974 have ensured that the country continues to share its experiences and challenges in implementation of various health programmes during ECSA forums such as the Directors expert committee, programme expert committees, the forums for best practice in health care and the annual ECSA Health Ministers Conference. Senior Ministry officials led by permanent secretaries have held various leadership roles in ECSA’s expert committees and played their part in ensuring the organization remains relevant, focused and responsive to the needs for the member countries.