Lesotho Health

Health

Health The HIV/Aids incidence rate in Lesotho is one of the highest in the world. Do not have unprotected sex. Consult a doctor as to which vaccinations you will require, but they will most likely include Hep A, Hep B, Rabies, Typhoid. Tropical diseases such as Malaria, Yellow fever and Bilharzia are not present in Lesotho. It is a very good idea to carry some sterile needles and dressing in your first aid kit - the hospitals throughout Lesotho are not of a very high standard. If you do have any serious health problems whilst in Lesotho, get in contact with your country's embassy either in Maseru, or in most cases, in Pretoria in South Africa, as there are very good hospitals across the border in SA which the expatriates use. Lesotho is at a very high altitude, and the air is very thin especially in the Highlands, be warned that you may suffer from altitude sickness when you first arrive. Drink a lot of water and keep covered up, as it gets very hot in the sun in the summer! The water in Lesotho is not clean and should not be drunk untreated. Be warned about street vendors who sell fizzy drinks as these are usually in unclean reused glass bottles. Pack moisturiser! Lesotho's air is very dry and everyone will suffer from dry skin! Safety Lesotho is far safer than neighbouring South Africa, although there has been a recent rise in muggings against foreigners. Some of these have involved firearms and knives. However, in nearly all of these incidents, the victims have been unharmed. Do not carry valuables around with you and avoid carrying a bag if at all possible - this draws attention to you, as locals do not carry bags. One possible reason for this rise in armed robbery could be due to the recent closures of several textiles factories in and around Maseru. Some of the muggers were factory workers targeting people around the end of the month when locals are paid in cash. Avoid making any unnecessary journeys during this week. Carjackings are fairly commonplace at junctions at nighttime, so do not stop at night stop unless it is unsafe to proceed. Lesotho has a history as a very safe, peaceful and welcoming country, and as such locals and the government are outraged at these attacks, and the police are usually very efficient and helpful when these crimes occur.

[ World Health Orginisation ]

[ Hospital of Tropical Diseases ]