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Lesotho moves towards mass treatment of worm infections
Lesotho moves towards mass treatment of worm infections
By: Michael Mike
To address the severe impact of parasitic worm infections on children’s health, nutrition, and education, the Ministry of Health in Lesotho, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has initiated steps to re-establish its Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programme for Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH).
This is done through the annual administration of albendazole tablets to target both preschool-aged children (1–5 years) and school-aged children (6–15 years). To prepare for the implementation of this critical intervention, a three-and-a-half-day multi-sectoral workshop was held in Leribe District, focusing on the development and validation of a comprehensive operational manual to guide future MDA implementation.
WHO has reported that over 1.5 billion people globally are infected with soil-transmitted helminths (STH), making it one of the most widespread infections. This parasitic disease is particularly prevalent in low-income and tropical regions.

The AFRO region faces the highest burden, with more than 800 million people at risk. Around 290 million school-age children in this region require preventive chemotherapy.
All Saharan African countries are endemic for STH, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive health interventions.
Lesotho conducted its initial national STH mapping survey in 2015, which revealed an overall prevalence of 47.6%, with significant district level variations, some reaching as high as 99%. This led to the launch of an MDA program in 2017, which, however, ceased operations after 2019 due to various challenges,including the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving at-risk populations vulnerable once more. Population at risk in Lesotho is around 550,000.
STH infections are classified by the WHO as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), characterized by their prevalence in populations with limited access to adequate sanitation and healthcare facilities. These parasitic infections contribute to adverse health outcomes, particularly among children, impacting their nutrition, growth, and educational performance.
A multi-sectoral approach is key to effectively and sustainably controlling and eventually eliminating STH infections in Lesotho and other high-burden areas. It involves not just the health sector (like mass drug administration), but also other sectors that address the main causes of transmission, such as poor sanitation, unsafe water, and poor hygiene.
Dr. Dhruv Pandey, the Technical Expert on Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, WHO Multicounty Assignment Team for the Southern Africa Hub countries, emphasized that the discontinuation of MDA since 2019 could have a detrimental impact on both public health and socioeconomic development in Lesotho.
He stressed the need for renewed political and intersectoral commitment, stating:
“It is essential for the Ministry of Health to prioritize the resumption of MDA by initially integrating it within existing health programmes, such as immunization and HPV campaigns.STH is not merely a health issue; it is a social issue, influenced by multiple social determinants and should be addressed through coordinated action.”
Ntsoaki Mamoeketsi Mokete, National Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) Focal Person at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the significance of the newly developed operational manual.
“Developing the operational manual is an important step towards controlling and eliminating neglected tropical diseases in Lesotho,” Mokete said. She outlined future plans, including five years of continuous MDA followed by an impact assessment survey to determine the status of STHs in the country.
“Our next steps will be to continue with the MDA for five years,which will be followed by the impact assessment survey to determine the distribution of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) among the general population. This will enable us to implement effective deworming strategies for the elimination of STH as a public health problem in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
In addition, we will focus on advocacy for the revitalization of school health programmes, developing NTD clinical guidelines, integrating NTDs into the IDSR strategy, and developing a coherent and well-coordinated approach in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other related organizations.”
The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) also affirmed its commitment to the program. Mpheng Molapo, Coordinator of the Learner Care and Welfare Support Unit at MoET, underlined the direct benefits for students.
“The Ministry of Education strongly supports the implementation of the (MDA) for (STH) as a key public health intervention with direct impact on learner well-being, educational performance, and school attendance,” Molapo stated.
Dr. Pabolo Nonyane, District Veterinary Officer and National Focal Point for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, underscored the importance of the MDA to the agricultural sector.
She stated that: “This initiative is vital for achieving sustainable food and nutrition security, particularly within our high-risk agricultural communities. Farmers and herd boys are uniquely vulnerable due to their exposure to contaminated soil. By using this operational manual to protect their health, we preserve the human capital essential for our agricultural future. This effort truly reflects the ‘One Health’ principle, ensuring that our work on STH contributes not only to public health but also directly to Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.”
“The development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the MDA campaign against Soil-Transmitted Helminths is essential,” stated Matebele Setefane, UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) Focal Person, Ministry of Natural Resources.
“This manual provides a structured, standardized approach that ensures clarity of roles and alignment with broader health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) goals. Given that STH infections are strongly linked to inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene, integrating WASH elements into the MDA operational SOPs helps address not just treatment but also prevention.”
Setefane further emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative: “The success of the MDA campaign depends not only on drug distribution but also on addressing the environmental drivers of STH transmission. Our ministry is committed to supporting the campaign through WASH integration, by collaborating with the Ministry of Health to ensure safe water access, functional sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion are prioritized in targeted communities and schools.”
The workshop convened a multidisciplinary team, including representatives from the Ministries of Education, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Environment. This collaborative approach aims to ensure the operational manual is pragmatic and implementable across all levels of engagement, marking a critical step towards establishing a sustainable, multisectoral intervention for STH control and eventual elimination as a public health problem in Lesotho.
WHO, working with other partners, has been instrumental in operationalizing the implementation of MDA in many countries, providing support at every stage of the process. This includes ensuring the sustainability of high-quality MDA, facilitating annual reporting, and conducting a comprehensive impact assessment after five years of optimal coverage.
Lesotho moves towards mass treatment of worm infections
News
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has said the principles of the United Nations Charter offers guidance to Nigeria and other African countries bedeviled by terrorism and other violent conflicts.
The message was given by the Director-General of the Institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of United Nations.
Ochogwu said: “Today, October 24, 2025, marks exactly 80 years since the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. As the world commemorates this historic milestone, we are reminded of the enduring vision of the Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. This vision remains profoundly relevant to Africa and to Nigeria, where the pursuit of peace, justice, and inclusive development continues to shape our collective aspirations.
“In today’s complex and rapidly changing security environment, the principles of the Charter, namely sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for international law offer essential guidance. Across Africa, the persistence of violent conflicts, terrorism, and governance challenges underscores the urgent need to strengthen multilateral cooperation, preventive diplomacy, and mediation capacities. Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and her experience in regional peacekeeping and conflict resolution affirm our commitment to these ideals and to the transformative role of international law in sustaining peace and security.
“The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) stands as a bridge between national policy and global peace initiatives. We reaffirm our partnership with the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and other stakeholders to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and institution-building. In this decade of action, we must deepen investments in peace infrastructure, youth empowerment, and cross-border cooperation to realize the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
He added that: “As we look to the future of the United Nations in Africa, the challenge before us is clear: to make peace sustainable, justice accessible, and security inclusive. The continued faith of Member States and communities in the principles of the UN Charter is an enduring source of hope for a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous continent.”
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
News
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity.
By Fathia Adenike
The heartbeat of Nigeria’s bustling cities and quiet villages lies ìtàn a Yoruba word meaning “story” or “history” a powerful force shaping cultural identity. Across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic landscapes Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa,and beyond. Storytelling isn’t just tradition; it’s a living bridge connecting past, present, and future.It’s an Oral Threads of Heritage,From moonlit Yoruba folktales whispering òrìṣà deeds to Igbo elders recounting ancestral proverbs, Nigeria’s oral traditions transmit values, wisdom, and belongings. These stories embed moral codes, communal bonds, and cosmological maps that ground Nigerians amid rapid change. Ancient myths seep into contemporary Nigerian life. Olókun’s oceanic power meets Lagos’ tech-driven streets; Ọṣun’s fertility echoes in art exploring feminine resilience. Writers like Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart and Ben Okri The Famished Road weave such mythic threads into explorations of identity, disrupting colonial ruptures.
Today, Nigerian storytelling leaps into digital realms. Podcasts like “The Nairaland Podcast and Twitter threads” retelling folklore showcase ìtàn’s adaptability. Social media becomes a virtual àbù̀ (drumbeat), amplifying voices across Nigeria’s youthful diaspora.
Ìtàn fosters cultural resilience. As Nigeria navigates urbanization, migration, and tech disruption, these stories offer anchors. They articulate collective memory, mediate conflict, and nurture belonging across ethnic lines Igbo, Yoruba.
Hausa in a nation of profound diversity.In Nigeria’s mosaic, ìtàn remains a vital pulse reminding Nigerians, globally, of roots nourishing identity’s complex, beautiful branches. ìtàn remains an irreducible heartbeat reminding Nigerians globally of identity’s deep, branching roots nourishing complex beauty. As Nigeria braids tradition with cutting edge innovation, these stories transmute into luminescent beacons, diachronistic continuity. Resonating poignantly in diaspora conversations spanning oceans.
Echoing vibrantly in Nigeria’s creative expressions celebrating Ultimately, ìtàn transcends mere retrospection; it dynamically sculpts Nigeria’s unfolding narrative vectors. These andaren’t antiquarian tales; they’re heritage-infused blueprints propelling Nigeria’s stories into uncharted tomorrows narratives carrying ancestral essence into modernity’s unspooling scroll. ìtàn brings identity filaments, affirming storytelling as Nigeria’s quintessential cultural DNA.
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity
News
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
LAGOS, NIGERIA – October 11, 2025 — Nigerian sportswear brand, ShightVault is making bold strides in redefining the culture of movement and style in Africa. The brand recently led a major collaboration with the Èkó Runners Club, hosting a vibrant community event themed “RUNWITHLAGOS” at The Finery, Ikoyi.
The activation brought together over 280 guests, including more than 140 runners who took part in a 5KM morning run through the heart of Lagos. The day unfolded into a full lifestyle experience, from yoga sessions and high-intensity training classes to ice baths, networking, food, drinks, and friendly competitions, blending wellness and urban culture in one energetic celebration.
At the center of it all was ShightVault, showcasing its limited-edition collaborative run-fit, a sleek performance line that sold out quickly at the venue.
Speaking at the event, Riches Efe Arhiakpore, Executive Director of ShightVault, described the collaboration as a reflection of the brand’s growing vision:
ShightVault is more than a sportswear label, it’s a movement. This collaboration with Èkó Runners Club represents how we want to connect fashion, fitness, and community. We’re open to working with more run clubs across the country and internationally as we expand our reach in both the sports and fashion industries.
The event was powered by key sponsors including KNGSMN, Pocari Sweat, ZoneX, Red Bull, and Glacee Table Water, alongside partners who helped deliver one of Lagos’ most engaging fitness activations of the year.
As ShightVault continues to grow beyond Nigeria’s borders, the brand is positioning itself as a global voice for African sportswear innovation, bridging performance, design, and cultural expression in every stride.
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
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