International

Bridging the Cancer prevention, diagnosis and care gaps in Lesotho

Published

2 months ago

February 14, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Bridging the Cancer prevention, diagnosis and care gaps in Lesotho

By: Michael Mike

In a country where cancer prevention, diagnosis, and care have historically been limited, the personal journeys of survivors like Maatang Chaka and Joalane Tsupaneare beacons of hope and resilience.

Tebo, a 49-year-old mother from Maseru District, and Joalane, a 19-year-old leukemia survivor, represent the strength and determination of many cancer patients in Lesotho. Their stories of survival and advocacy highlight the urgent need to bridge the gaps in cancer services in the nation.

Chaka’s battle with stage 3 breast cancer began in 2011 while she was working in the mines of Mokhotlong District. Reflecting on her journey, she recalls, “It started as a pain in my right breast. After a medical examination, I was told there was a lump. At that time, I didn’t know about cancer, so I couldn’t understand how serious my situation was.” Today, she finds joy in sharing her story to give hope and support to other cancer patients. Thanks to financial support from the Government of Lesotho, she sought treatment in South Africa. By 2018, Chakawas declared cancer-free.
For the 19-year-old childhood cancer survivor Joalane Tsupane, her cancer journey began at the tender age of one year when she was diagnosed with leukemia. As a young girl, she experienced constant body pain, hair loss, bleeding, fever, and loss of appetite. Supported by the Government of Lesotho, Tsupaneembarked on a long road to recovery and was declared cancer-free in 2019.

Tsupane points out a significant challenge: the knowledge gap about childhood cancer in the community. “There is a need to increase awareness about childhood cancer. Information should be made available for all, especially our parents,” she emphasizes.

Motsamai Kekeletso, a dedicated caregiver with Friends with Starlight Oasis of Hope Foundation, echoes this sentiment. Her organization provides palliative care to cancer patients. “I started helping people suffering from chronic diseases because I realized there was no home for the elderly in our community,” she explains. “I love taking care of cancer patients and feel fulfilled providing support in their most vulnerable state.”

In 2023, the Senkatana Oncology Clinic in Maseru District reported approximately 1,888 new cancer cases in Lesotho, with around 500 of them being cervical cancer cases. Addressing this growing concern, the Government of Lesotho, under the Ministry of Health, has commenced construction of the nation’s first Cancer Care facility. This new center will offer radiotherapy services, reducing patients’ need to seek treatment abroad.

During the 2025 World Cancer Day commemoration, Minister of Health Hon Selibe Mochoboroane announced, “The government of Lesotho is making strides in establishing a dedicated cancer treatment center to address these challenges. We are training medical professionals and support staff from within and outside Lesotho. With guidance from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the center aims to be a state-of-the-art facility.”

Hon Mochoboroane also acknowledged the vital contributions of development partners, highlighting the successful administration of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to about 93% of girls aged 9 to 14 in 2024. He added, “Development Partners are actively providing educational resources, equipment, and expert assistance to support the ministry’s efforts. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are crucial in reaching underserved communities, offering education and support services, including palliative care, to families in need.”
Dr. Innocent Nuwagira, World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Lesotho, stressed the importance of integrating cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and palliative care into broader health services to close the existing healthcare gaps.

He noted, “Between 30% – 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors like tobacco use, alcohol, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, chronic infections, and air pollution. While prevention is the most cost-effective long-term strategy, early detection and management are key to reducing cancer deaths.”

Manyathela Kheleli, Brand Marketing Manager, Communications and Sponsorships of Standard Lesotho Bank, announced that the bank had contributed 1.9 million maloti to support the construction of the cancer facility. He also called on other corporate entities to join in and make the project a reality.

With the new cancer facility, Lesotho’s cancer patients will no longer need to travel to South Africa or elsewhere for treatment and care, marking a significant step forward in the country’s healthcare journey.

Bridging the Cancer prevention, diagnosis and care gaps in Lesotho

International

Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

Published

1 day ago

April 19, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

By: Zagazola Makama

A suspected abduction occurred on April 18, 2025, when Mr. Yangi Ming, a Chinese national working at Panda Supermarket in Jabi, was reportedly abducted by unknown individuals.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that Mr Yangi Ming left his residence at Stargate Apartment in Durumi around 1700hrs and was last seen wearing brown shorts and a black polo shirt.

His sister, Aisha Pan, residing in Sharanda, Kano State, later received a ransom demand of ₦300 million, made from Yangi Ming’s mobile phone number.

Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

International

India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

Published

2 weeks ago

April 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two siblings at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos during a planned travel to India with 5 kilogrammes of cocaine.

The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday said: “Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested two brothers: John Abugu, 43, and Kenneth Abugu, 31, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja, Lagos with 5 kilogrammes cocaine concealed in walls of their suitcases while attempting to board a flight to India.”

He said the two brothers were arrested at the Lagos airport last Thursday following proactive processing of credible intelligence. He said they claimed they were travelling to India for medical treatment but when their suitcases were thoroughly searched by NDLEA officers, whitish powdery substances later confirmed to be cocaine were discovered on the walls of their bags.

Babafemi said in a similar development, NDLEA officers of the MMIA Strategic Command same day, Thursday intercepted a 20-year-old Ghanaian – British man, Parker Osei with 36 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 19.4 kilogrammes packed in a giant travelling bag. The suspect who claims he is a student of Computer Science at East London University, UK, was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand, at the E-arrival hall of the Lagos airport.

In his statement, the techie claims he lives with his parents in the UK but left London about a week ago for Bangkok where he picked up the illicit drug consignment to deliver in Nigeria.

NDLEA operatives in Kogi state have arrested a 33-year-old woman, Ngozi Ogili while moving 3 kilogrammes of methamphetamine from Lagos to Abuja. She was nabbed in a commercial transport bus along Okene-Lokoja highway last Monday. Babafemi said a follow up operation at her point of delivery in Apo mechanic area of Abuja led to the seizure of quantities of Loud and Colorado, both synthetic strains of cannabis.

In Abia state, NDLEA officers on Saturday arrested a 75-year-old grandpa, Nnanna Felix with 1.6 kilogrammes skunk, a strain of cannabis during a raid at Umunteke Asa, Ukwa West local government area, while another suspect David Chinemerem, 21, was nabbed with 2,050 ampoules of pentazocine at 7 Nnajiego Lane, Umuode road, Aba last Tuesday.

No fewer than 381 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 tablets of tramadol were seized from a suspect, Abdullahi Adamu along Potiskum-Damaturu road, Yobe state by NDLEA operatives on Saturday, just as raid operations at Osogbo motor park, Onitsha and a house at Oba in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra state led to the arrest of Obinna Sunday and the seizure of 195,000 pills of tramadol. Also arrested during the raid at the motor park was Ugochukwu Ojalanonye with 4.2 kilogrammes codeine syrup and 5.4kg pentazocine.

In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, NDLEA operatives last Thursday arrested 51-year-old Sunday Ayogu with 25 kilogrammes skunk and 90.4 grammes of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Wuse market Abuja, while two women: Faith Etim, 64, and Victoria Etim, 40, were nabbed lasr Friday when NDLEA operatives supported by men of the Nigerian Army raided cannabis plantations in Esuk-Odot community, Odukpani local government area of Cross River State where 250,000 kilogrammes of the psychoactive plant were destroyed on over 100 hectares of farm land.

Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of MMIA, SOU, Yobe, Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Cross River and FCT commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

International

UK Expresses Commitment to Restoration of Peace in Northeast

Published

1 month ago

March 18, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

UK Expresses Commitment to Restoration of Peace in Northeast

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom has expressed its commitment to the restoration of peace, stability and sustainable solutions to the troubled Northeast region which has been bedeviled by insurgency.

The British Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Atkinson made the commitment on Monday when she paid a courtesy call on Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri.

Atkinson who commended Zulum for his commitment to fighting insurgency in Borno, said: “On behalf of the British Government, I recognise the effort of His Excellency, the Governor, in tackling insurgency and supporting the people of Borno State, particularly aiming to secure a prosperous future for the people displaced by insurgency.

“I want to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to supporting peace, stability and sustainable solutions, particularly through the ongoing regional stabilisation facility.”

Responding, the Secretary to Borno State Government who received the Deputy High Commissioner on behalf of Governor Zulum, expressed appreciation to the UK Government for their partnership and support.

He said,: “With the UK Government to start with, we have quite a number of very strong partnerships. His Excellency appreciates it, and he specifically instructed me to convey the special message of appreciation.”

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Environment, Engr Emet Kois, Education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Work and Housing, Engr Mustapha Gubio, Transport and Energy, Aliyu Mohammed Bamanga and Inter-Governmental and Special Duties, Tukur Shani.

Others in attendance include Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, Abdullahi Ishaq, the Senior Technical Assistant, Political, to the Governor, Alhaji Tahiru Shettima, Permanent Secretary of political and cabinet, Danjuma Ali, and the Executive Secretary of Borno State Agency for Coordination of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Response (BOACSDHR), Babakura Mamman Gadai.

UK Expresses Commitment to Restoration of Peace in Northeast