Mohale FM The Office of the Director of Health Services has raised concern over a critical shortage of neurologists in Lesotho, warning that the gap is affecting the country’s ability to properly diagnose and treat neurological conditions.
Dr. Lucy Mapota says the limited number of specialists makes it difficult to fully understand the extent of neurological diseases such as epilepsy, determine their causes, and implement appropriate treatment and management strategies.
She noted that epilepsy and other neurological disorders are present in Lesotho, just as they are globally. Worldwide, epilepsy affects an estimated 50 million people. However, many individuals living with the condition do not receive timely treatment, and approximately 140,000 people die each year due to epilepsy-related complications.
In Lesotho, it is estimated that around 5,000 people are living with seizure-related conditions associated with epilepsy. However, Dr. Mapota cautioned that this figure cannot be fully confirmed due to the shortage of specialists and limited access to diagnostic equipment such as CT scans and MRI machines.
Health authorities say addressing these gaps is crucial to improving diagnosis, treatment, and overall care for people living with neurological disorders in the country.
