Mohale’s Hoek— The Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), has successfully conducted a Typhoid After Action Review (AAR) in Mohale’s Hoek district. This important exercise is part of the International Health Regulations (IHR) monitoring framework, designed to evaluate the effectiveness of preparedness and response to public health emergencies.

This is the first AAR conducted in Lesotho, marking a milestone in the country’s commitment to implementing the IHR monitoring framework and strengthening national health security.

The review follows a recent typhoid outbreak in Mohale’s Hoek, which tragically claimed the life of one student. An additional 47 learners and five teachers also presented with similar symptoms, prompting the Ministry of Education and Training to temporarily close the affected school while investigations and response measures were undertaken.

The AAR provided an opportunity to reflect on what went well and to identify challenges experienced during the outbreak response. The outcomes will help strengthen systems, improve coordination, and inform future responses at both district and national levels.

“Adequate preparation is key to prevent, prepare for, and respond efficiently to public health emergencies. This is a critical exercise for us as the Ministry of Health, as the meeting outcomes will help not only Mohale’s Hoek district but the health sector as a whole. It also tested how we are coordinating through the One Health approach,” said Dr. Mahlape Titi, Director of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health.

The Mohale’s Hoek District Medical Officer, Dr. Bookang Kojan, also highlighted the value of the exercise:

“Following the surge response training we underwent, this incident gave us the chance to put our learning into practice. We activated our Rapid Response Team, which brought together players from different sectors. It was encouraging to collaborate as stakeholders—making the response not just a health-led initiative, but a truly district-owned effort. While we faced logistical challenges due to our location, support from the Ministry’s central team, including the deployment of two epidemiologists, and from WHO, was invaluable.”

Mr. Albert Hlabana, WHO Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer, emphasized the importance of the review for national health security:

“This exercise demonstrates the value of continuous learning. By reflecting on our response, we ensure that the lessons drawn today translate into stronger preparedness tomorrow. WHO remains committed to working alongside the Ministry of Health and partners to strengthen Lesotho’s capacity to detect, respond to, and mitigate public health threats.”

The review exercise concluded with the development of an action plan to strengthen health security in the immediate, medium, and long term.

This AAR was made possible through support from the Pandemic Fund under the Multi-Country Project, ensuring that lessons learned from the outbreak are translated into practical improvements for future responses.