A New Prescription for Healthcare: Dr Motlohi’s PhD Aims to Break Barriers in Healthcare

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Dr Nthabiseng Motlohi has come a long way. Her achievement of graduating with a PhD in Pharmacy is not only a personal triumph but a beacon of hope for the future of healthcare systems in southern Africa. 

Motlohi attended St James High School in Ha Rafolatsane, 14km from the Mokhotlong CBD in Lesotho. She initially dreamed of becoming a computer scientist. However, her path shifted after she encountered academic challenges in mathematics during her first year of a BSc degree. ‘I didn’t choose Pharmacy it chose me through a series of life’s nudges,’ she reflected. 

The late Dr Matthias Adorka, her former undergraduate lecturer, became a guiding light, encouraging her to embrace Pharmacy with purpose and determination. His mentorship was a pivotal turning point that led her to a new destiny. 

For her doctoral study, Motlohi focused on a pressing global health concern - cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Her research explored the role of community pharmacists in Lesotho in preventing and managing these conditions. 

‘CVDs are responsible for a large burden of death worldwide, and pharmacists are often overlooked players in early detection and prevention,’ she explained. 

Her key findings revealed that community pharmacists in Lesotho have the potential to significantly impact public health by screening for CVD risks and promoting healthier lifestyles. While pharmacists are positively perceived by patients and are willing to do more, barriers such as scope of practice limitations and inconsistent service delivery hinder their effectiveness. 

‘There is a need to integrate pharmacists into the primary healthcare system in a structured way,’ said Motlohi. ‘This can make early detection and disease prevention more accessible in both urban and rural areas.’ 

Her study offers a conceptual framework to guide this integration, making it a vital contribution to health system reforms in Lesotho and similar settings. 

Her PhD was supervised by Professor Varsha Bangalee, whose support, Motlohi says, was instrumental in completing this milestone. 

Currently working as a lecturer at Botho University in Maseru, Motlohi is not stopping there. Her vision is to further contribute to the continent’s healthcare systems by pursuing postdoctoral research in Health Systems Outcomes Research. She believes this will equip her to use data-driven insights to inform policies and improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery in Lesotho and beyond. 

‘The PhD journey, as many can attest, often demands sacrifices,’ said Motlohi. ‘For me it meant stepping away from one of my joys, that is going to the gym. Now that my academic milestone is complete, I’m eager to reclaim my fitness routine and restore balance in my life.’

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini