Mampotseng Letuka, village health worker

Maseru ‒ Mampotseng Letuka, a mother of eight from Koali village in the Berea district of northern Lesotho, has spent her life advancing the health of her community. For 16 years, she has been monitoring HIV and tuberculosis cases to ensure people adhere to their treatment and addressing the health needs of women and children in her village. For the past few years, she has been advocating for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects adolescent girls and young women against the virus responsible for most cervical cancers.

“We have been aware of cervical cancer for some time. We knew it was a dangerous disease for women. Fortunately, no cases have been reported in our village,” explains Letuka. “However, a woman from a neighboring village is currently undergoing treatment. She is taking her medication and is doing well.”

Read moreLeprino Foods to launch into non-animal casein production as part of partnership with Fooditive

Letuka says she has made it her "absolute responsibility" to educate girls between the ages of 9 and 14 about the benefits of HPV vaccination. She visits households, explains the dangers of the disease, and urges parents to protect their daughters by getting them vaccinated when they are eligible. Following her persuasion, most parents agreed and brought their daughters to the village square to be vaccinated.

Thanks to collaborative efforts between the Lesotho Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, more than 139,000 girls in Lesotho aged 9 to 14 have been vaccinated against HPV since the launch of the last campaign in 2022. Cervical cancer has a significant impact on women in Lesotho, with approximately 541 women diagnosed and 362 deaths each year.

The national coverage of 93 % achieved during the latest HPV vaccination campaign exceeds the initial target of 90 % and surpasses the 91 % achieved during a previous campaign that was interrupted due to financial constraints. These vaccination efforts are part of a broader effort to achieve the targets of the WHO global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.

Letuka, for her part, is "thrilled" to see this happen. "I am so happy to see the fruits of my labor—having managed to vaccinate as many girls as possible. I am so happy and satisfied to see so many of them receiving the HPV vaccine," she says.