Queen ‘Masenate Leads High-Level Gavi Mission to Rwanda to Strengthen HPV Vaccination in Lesotho

Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso, in her role as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Champion, led a high-level Gavi mission to Rwanda from 2 to 6 December 2025. She was accompanied by Minister of Health Hon. Selibe Mochoboroane, Chieftainess Mrs ‘Mamahali Peete Peete, representatives from Gavi and UNICEF, and senior government officials. The mission aimed to engage in strategic dialogue and experience sharing on Rwanda’s successful immunization strategies and innovative health system practices that have achieved high vaccination coverage and reduced vaccine-preventable diseases.

Through a series of high-level engagements and technical field visits, the delegation explored models that could be adapted to accelerate Lesotho’s progress in improving child and adolescent health outcomes. The mission focused on ensuring that no individual is left behind in the delivery of essential health services.

Her Majesty and her delegation were warmly received by Rwandan authorities. During strategic deliberations, she emphasized leveraging Rwanda’s effective approaches, particularly community engagement and data-driven decision-making, to enhance HPV vaccination coverage and overall adolescent health in Lesotho.

The Queen toured Rwanda’s National Vaccine Warehouse, gaining insights into the national vaccine supply chain, including procedures for receiving, securely storing, and dispatching vaccines efficiently across the country. She also visited the National Health Intelligence Centre, a hub for real-time health data analysis that uses AI to improve policy decisions, resource allocation, and disease surveillance by integrating data from community health workers to hospitals.

A visit to the Zipline facility highlighted the transformative impact of drone technology on healthcare delivery. The facility ensures rapid dispatch of medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas and during emergencies. Lesotho has identified Rapokolana as the designated site for a future Zipline facility, with implementation currently underway.

The mission reflects a shared commitment to protecting the health of girls and young women while promoting impactful South–South cooperation across Africa. Insights from Rwanda’s health system are expected to inform Lesotho’s strategies to strengthen HPV vaccination, improve health outcomes, and build resilient healthcare systems for the country’s adolescents.