Mohlomi overrun by lice, fleas and scabies

…as forensic ward houses more than double its capacity

Ithabeleng Qhasho

THE country’s only mental institution, Mohlomi Hospital, has been hit by infestations of lice, fleas and scabies, with severe overcrowding blamed for worsening the crisis.

Minister of Health, ‘Mamokete Ntšekhe, yesterday admitted before the Senate that the hospital was battling the infestations, particularly in the forensic ward, which currently houses more than 80 patients despite being built to accommodate only 35.

Appearing before senators, Ms Ntšekhe said the government had engaged a fumigating company and outsourced a psychiatrist to help reduce congestion by assessing patients eligible for discharge.

“The Ministry of Health is aware of the adverse conditions experienced by patients at Mohlomi Hospital regarding fleas, lice, and scabies infestation. Indeed, cases of these infestations have been identified within the facility,” Ms Ntšekhe said.

She was responding to a question from Senator ‘Makholu Moshoeshoe, who asked whether the minister was aware of the conditions at the hospital and what measures were being taken to protect patients.

Ms Ntšekhe said overcrowding remained the biggest obstacle to eliminating the infestations.

“The number of patients currently exceeds eighty, while the hospital was designed to accommodate only a capacity of thirty-five,” she said.

“As is widely known, the major risk factors associated with the spread of these parasites include close physical contact, sharing of personal items, and overcrowded living conditions.”

She said the ministry had already arranged for fumigation of the facility through Darlington Holdings, a company responsible for vector control and grounds maintenance.

“The hospital has implemented several measures to address the situation. In addition to providing appropriate medical treatment to affected patients, the hospital has liaised with appropriate offices to do fumigation of the facility to control the spread of infestations.

“A request to Darlington Holdings, a company responsible for disease control, has been made. The Ministry is awaiting a date for the fumigation. Efforts are being made to facilitate the release and discharge of eligible patients from the forensic ward to reduce overcrowding, which is a critical contributing factor.”

The minister added that the government was now pushing to release and discharge eligible patients from the forensic ward to ease congestion.

““The main factor that was halting the process was lack of expertise. A psychiatrist has been outsourced to facilitate the process. The hospital remains committed to strengthening infection prevention and control measures while working towards long-term solutions to the overcrowding challenge,” she said.

The Senate concerns come barely a month after Ombudsman Advocate Tlotliso Polaki issued a scathing report exposing worsening conditions at the hospital and accusing the government of failing to act on recommendations made since 2023.

Adv Polaki revealed that out of 97 recommendations made by her office, only 12 had been fully implemented, while 70 remained untouched.

“This level of inaction is unacceptable; it represents maladministration of the highest order,” Adv Polaki said.

“The Ministry of Health has largely failed to act on critical recommendations aimed at improving the inhumane living conditions of patients at the hospital.”

She also exposed shocking overcrowding at the facility, saying the forensic unit, built for 35 patients, was now housing 84.

The hospital itself, designed for 110 patients, currently accommodates 154.

“The overcrowding has profound implications for patient welfare and human rights,” Adv Polaki warned.

“Patients who have recovered from acute episodes are forced to cohabit with acutely unwell individuals, leading to relapse.”

She recalled one patient telling investigators in 2023:

“Re folile empa re qetella re boetse re hlanya hape ka lebaka la ho lula le bakuli ba bang.”(“We have healed but end up relapsing as a result of living with other patients.”)

Adv Polaki said some patients had remained institutionalised at Mohlomi since 1992 because of delays in assessments and failures to review their cases.

“There are patients sitting in the forensic unit — individuals who, at the time of committing offences, lacked mental capacity. They were committed to Mohlomi Hospital for assessment, yet they have remained there for many years,” she said.

She blamed part of the problem on the collapse of the advisory committee responsible for reviewing patients detained at His Majesty’s pleasure. The committee last sat in 2016.

“It has not been reconstituted since 2016. This has effectively stalled patient reviews and recommendations for release and reintegration,” she said.

Adv Polaki further described the hospital buildings as unsafe and unfit for mental healthcare.

“The hospital buildings are in a state of advanced deterioration. Ceilings are collapsing, walls are structurally compromised, and facilities are not designed for mental healthcare,” she said.

“The continued neglect of Mohlomi Mental Hospital is not merely a health issue; it is a human rights crisis.”

Meanwhile, Ms Ntšekhe also admitted that despite Lesotho adopting a National Mental Health Policy, implementation remained slow because of funding shortages, lack of specialists, inadequate infrastructure and limited resources.

She said the ministry would focus during the 2026/2027 financial year on finalising a Mental Health Action Plan, expanding mental health services at primary healthcare level, improving infrastructure and strengthening medicine supply chains.

“The Ministry remains committed to strengthening mental health services and ensuring that mental health care becomes more accessible, integrated, and responsive to the needs of Basotho communities,” she said.

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