Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)

View Issue TOC

A Case Study in Lesotho: Virtual Collaboration and the African Diaspora in Health System Strengthening

Lisebo Phafoli, National University of Lesotho Masekho Mokoena, Department of Surgery, National University of Lesotho Teboho Thabane, National University of Lesotho
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18362108
Published: January 24, 2026

Abstract

This case study examines a structured virtual partnership programme (2023-2025) between African diaspora specialists and clinicians at Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital in Lesotho. It addresses the critical shortage of specialist skills within the nation’s health system, investigating how remote diaspora expertise can be leveraged to build sustainable local capacity. The research employed a qualitative methodology, comprising semi-structured interviews with participating local healthcare workers and diaspora specialists. These were triangulated with a thematic analysis of clinical mentorship logs and teleconsultation records. Ethical approval was secured from the relevant institutional review boards. Findings demonstrate that sustained virtual collaboration enhanced diagnostic accuracy for complex non-communicable diseases and improved procedural skills among local staff. The diaspora’s cultural affinity and understanding of local contexts were pivotal, fostering trust and enabling effective knowledge transfer. The study argues that this model of virtual diaspora engagement constitutes a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for health system strengthening. It mitigates brain drain concerns by utilising diaspora skills remotely and fosters resilient intra-African knowledge networks. The conclusion posits that for nations like Lesotho, strategically harnessing diaspora capital through digital platforms offers a transformative pathway towards greater health sovereignty.

Full Text:

PDF (English (United Kingdom)) HTML (English (United Kingdom))

Read the Full Article

The HTML galley is loaded below for inline reading and better discovery.

Open HTML Open PDF

How to Cite

Lisebo Phafoli, Masekho Mokoena, Teboho Thabane (2026). A Case Study in Lesotho: Virtual Collaboration and the African Diaspora in Health System Strengthening. African Journal of Public Health and Health Systems, Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025), 14-31. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18362108
EndNote (RIS) BibTeX

Keywords

Health system strengtheningAfrican diasporaVirtual collaborationTelemedicineSub-Saharan AfricaHuman resources for healthDigital health

Research Snapshot

Desktop reading view
Language
EN
Formats
HTML + PDF
Publication Track
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)
Current Journal
African Journal of Public Health and Health Systems

References

  • Adamu, A.A., Ndwandwe, D., Jalo, R.I., Ibrahim, K.A., & Wiysonge, C.S. (2025). Strengthening immunisation programmes in Africa through implementation science. The Lancet Regional Health - Africa. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanafr.2025.100004
  • Atta, K., Atta, A., & Atta, M. (2025). Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Mental Health Support for Female Health Professionals in Pakistan and Türkiye. Journal of University College of Medicine and Dentistry. https://doi.org/10.51846/jucmd.v4is.3703
  • Baum, N.M., Iovan, S., & Udow-Phillips, M. (2024). Strengthening Public Health Through Primary Care and Public Health Collaboration: Innovative State Approaches. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. https://doi.org/10.1097/phh.0000000000001860
  • Bawah, A.A. (2026). Advancing Evidence-Based Innovations for Strengthening Health Systems in Africa: Insights from the 2025 Health Systems Innovation Conference in Ghana. Journal of Global Health Science. https://doi.org/10.35500/jghs.2026.8.e6
  • Dafallah, A., & Witter, S. (2025). Diaspora as partners: strengthening resilience of health systems and communities amidst aid volatility. BMJ Global Health. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2025-019622
  • Foláyan, M.O., Ishola, A.G., Bhayat, A., El Tantawi, M., & Ndembi, N. (2025). Strengthening health systems to tackle oral diseases in Africa: Africa centers for disease control and prevention’s role. Frontiers in Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1539805
  • Gremyr, A., Seid, M., Margolis, P.A., & Ramaswamy, R. (2025). Learning about learning health systems: Strengthening theory through continuous evaluation and improvement. Learning Health Systems. https://doi.org/10.1002/lrh2.70038
  • Hu, Z. (2025). Strengthening Chinese Medicine Health Management Education through Artificial Intelligence: A South African Case Study. Educational Process International Journal. https://doi.org/10.22521/edupij.2025.17.344
  • Jensen, H., South, H., & Garimella, S. (2025). 10.B. Round table: Strengthening health sector governance in plural health systems through community participation. European Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckaf161.582
  • Madigele, T., & Tabalaka, A. (2024). Interprofessional Collaboration of Health Care Providers in Botswana. Utambuzi: Journal for the Study of the Religions of Africa and its Diaspora. https://doi.org/10.36615/yf9h6947
  • Mairos Ferreira, S., Mathule, L., Muthengi, K., Khumalo, N., & Hasnain, A. (2024). UNVEILING COMMUNITY-CENTRIC DYNAMICS FOR IMPROVED HEALTH AND NUTRITION OUTCOMES: EVALUATIVE INSIGHTS ON AN INTEGRATED NUTRITION AND HIV/AIDS PROGRAMME IN LESOTHO. Proceedings of the Global Public Health Conference. https://doi.org/10.17501/26138417.2024.7102
  • Mairos Ferreira, S., Mathule, L., Muthengi, K., Diaho, T., & Makoae, M. (2025). Exclusive Breastfeeding in Lesotho: Influences, Barriers, and the Role of Informal Networks. International Journal of Health Policy Planning. https://doi.org/10.33140/ijhpp.04.03.04
  • Makandwa, T. (2024). Spaces, Places, and Migration: Understanding and Strengthening Public Health-Care Provision in South Africa. AFRICAN HUMAN MOBILITY REVIEW. https://doi.org/10.14426/ahmr.v10i1.1737
  • Makhubele, K. (2025). Strengthening Oral Health in South Africa: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships. South African Dental Journal. https://doi.org/10.17159/sadj.v80i07.24324
  • Malibo, R. (2024). The Need for Effective Health Communication Systems in Lesotho. Perspectives on Health Communication from Selected Sub-Saharan African Countries. https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785058-09
  • Masimula, S.S., Senekane, M.F., & Naicker, N. (2025). Strengthening environmental health services delivery through improving data management in South Africa: insights from environmental health managers. Frontiers in Health Services. https://doi.org/10.3389/frhs.2025.1665259
  • Mengqian, W. (2025). Strengthening The Patient Health Dissemination Core Channel Role Through Health Education Prescriptions: Experiences from Hainan Province, China. American Journal of Health Behavior. https://doi.org/10.5993/ajhb.49.3.2
  • Mhazo, A.T., Lal, A., & Mossialos, E. (2024). The COVID-19 pandemic: A focusing event to promote domestic investment for health systems strengthening in the WHO African Region. SSM - Health Systems. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmhs.2024.100034
  • Morton, D.G., & Ghaffar, A. (2024). Strengthening health systems through surgery. BMJ Global Health. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-017782
  • Polane, M., & Dlamini, S. (2025). Exploring primary health care nurses’ perceptions of cervical cancer screening in Leribe, Lesotho. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4942
  • Shobhna,, & Shukla, A.K. (2025). India’s role in global health: strengthening partnerships through innovation and collaboration. The Round Table. https://doi.org/10.1080/00358533.2025.2478120
  • Sibanda, B., Joseph, B., & Olasoji, M. (2025). Mental health professionals’ perspectives of the role of spirituality, religion and culture on the mental health of African Australians. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7504412/v1
  • Stek, K., Lefers, L., & Belotti Pedroso, C. (2025). Strengthening innovation capacity in health and care workforce: A role-based framework for the procurement professionals. Health Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2025.105423
  • Tabalaka, A. (2024). The Ethics of Collaboration. Utambuzi: Journal for the Study of the Religions of Africa and its Diaspora. https://doi.org/10.36615/e2kwa623
  • Triano, S.E., & Meeks, L.M. (2025). Strengthening Disability Inclusion in Medical Education: The Role of Disability Resource Professionals Through Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Framework. Academic Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1097/acm.0000000000006149