Hospitalisation of chronic diseases can be costly and time-consuming to patients with chronic diseases, and success of management of chronic diseases is in the primary care. This chapter gives a detailed description of primary health and its role in the management of chronic diseases. Hypertension as a chronic disease of interest and its management in the primary healthcare (PHC) context are also to be discussed in detail. However, to give this chapter clarity, a brief description of the country Lesotho will be given. The summary of the country will highlight major barriers to health care which mainly include poverty, difficult topography with no or poor infrastructure which hinder access to primary health care. Situational analysis is made with regard to current practice. The potential role of a pharmacist in the care and treatment of hypertension is explored. Best practices, need for policy change, guidelines and implementation plans will be highlighted. The aim of the chapter is to evaluate how chronic diseases are managed at the primary health care. The objectives include: a) to explore primary health care concept, b) to critically evaluate PHC concept in an African country and c) to describe human resource needs to meet the demands of PHC chronic diseases management.

Background: Cancer is a global health burden with an increasing incidence, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Cancer treatment is associated with a financial burden worsened by insurance status, treatment type and geographic location. Aim: This study evaluates the cost of cancer treatment for patients treated outside Lesotho from the perspective of the healthcare service provider. Setting: The study was carried out at the Ministry of Health (MOH) headquarters using payment bills and at the Senkatana Oncology Clinic using the patients’ clinical files. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional retrospective study analysed medical bills incurred between 2019 and 2022 and patients’ clinical files from the same period. The average costs of various treatment modalities were compared based on age, gender and cancer type. Results: Of the 200 patients enrolled, 76% (n = 152) were females, and the majority were aged above 30 years (n = 183, 91.5%). Younger patients (below 30) faced the highest chemotherapy average costs, and radiotherapy average costs were highest for the 31–60 age group. The average cost of accommodation coefficient (1.216) showed a positive association, but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.625). A statistically significant difference was observed in the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy with accommodation (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Cancer patients who seek cancer treatment outside the country undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, with the majority being on both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A statistically significant difference was observed in the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and accommodation. Contribution: This study provides an understanding of cancer treatment costs outside Lesotho by enhancing budget insights and recommending a strategic approach.

The South African Journal of Oncology is a peer-reviewed on-line journal which publishes high quality articles on all aspects of oncology. The Editorial Board strongly supports a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care research as well as translational research in oncology.

Background Medicines for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are essential in the management of patients with NCDs therefore, it is important that they are readily available to patients at health facilities. Objective This study aimed to assess the availability of medicines used in the management of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma and epilepsy in public outpatient departments (OPDs) and healthcare centres in Lesotho. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at public OPDs in district hospitals and healthcare centres in Lesotho using self-administered structured questionnaires targeting all health workers in managerial positions. Ethical approval was obtained from a licenced Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (Ethics number: 00048-18-A1) and the Ministry of Health Ethics Committee and Review Board of Lesotho (ID120-2018). Data were analysed descriptively. Results Ten of 16 respondents at OPDs perceived that medicines for diabetes mellitus were available and nine thought those for hypertension and asthma were available. Eight of 16 respondents perceived that medicines for epilepsy were available at OPDs. At healthcare centres, 73.3% (n = 63) of respondents perceived that medicines for diabetes mellitus were available, 62.8% (n = 54) thought hypertension medicines were available, 68.6% (n = 59) indicated that medicines for asthma were available, and 61.6% (n = 53) perceived that medicines for epilepsy were also available. Conclusion The majority of health workers at OPDs and healthcare centres perceived that medicines for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma and epilepsy were available at health facilities. Thus, suggesting that the public health facilities in Lesotho seem to almost always have medicines for NCDs.

Pharmacovigilance (PV) plays a crucial role in ensuring medication safety by monitoring and reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This study evaluated the effectiveness of an educational intervention aimed at improving healthcare professionals’ knowledge and attitudes towards PV in Lesotho. A pre-post intervention questionnaire-based study was conducted amongst healthcare providers in Lesotho. Prior to the intervention, gaps in PV knowledge and limited formal training were evident among participants. Post-intervention results demonstrated notable improvements in understanding core PV concepts and a positive shift in perceptions regarding ADR reporting responsibilities. Despite these gains, challenges related to complex PV topics and systemic barriers persisted. The findings underscore the importance of structured, context-specific training programs to strengthen PV systems in resource-limited settings. Sustained educational efforts, curricular reforms, and institutional support are essential to enhance ADR reporting practices and promote patient safety in Lesotho.