LERIBE – The Leribe District Immunisation Team has reviewed its quarterly performance at a meeting held at the District Health Management Team (DHMT) offices in Hlotse.

The meeting assessed activities implemented by the Ministry of Health through the DHMT from January to June 2026.

Addressing the meeting, Child Health Officer Ms Maleseli Thaba said the district successfully implemented 69 activities between January and March, while 84 activities were not completed.

She said 91 activities were successfully implemented between April and June.

Thaba identified lack of transport for monthly vaccine distribution and supportive supervision as some of the challenges affecting the implementation of immunisation activities.

She said the mobility of communities also made it difficult for health workers to trace children who require vaccination.

“Shortage of staff at some facilities is one of the biggest challenges,” she said.

She added that the district was also unable to reach some hard-to-reach areas for vaccination due to a lack of equine transport support.

Despite the challenges, Thaba said the district had made progress in several areas, including preschool vaccinations conducted from February to May in Maputsoe, Hlotse and the Motebang Hospital area.

She said the district also commemorated Africa Vaccination Week from April 24 to 30 and conducted radio programmes on immunisation through Thato EA Hao FM and InfoHub FM.

Public Health Nurse Ms Matefo Chabalala said the district needed helicopter support to reach hard-to-reach areas such as Ha Sepinare and Mahateng.

She also highlighted the shortage of Village Health Workers, saying many had retired and had not been replaced.

“This makes it difficult for some immunisation activities to be effectively implemented in communities,” she said.

Chabalala expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Education and Training for its support in implementing school health programmes, saying school principals worked well with health officials.

Speaking on behalf of the District Administrator, Mr Rasebilo Maqelepo urged the immunisation team to submit its plans to the District Administration Office so that support could be provided where possible.

The immunisation activities for this year are focusing on identifying children who have missed vaccinations, including zero-dose and under-immunised children.

Leribe has about 37 health facilities, including 14 Christian Health Association of Lesotho (CHAL) facilities, 11 government health facilities, one CHAL hospital and one government hospital.