Lesotho is a peaceful country. Over and above its Defence force, it has a Police force that is to be found in all the districts, cities, and towns of the country, the Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS). This Police service was established in 1872, originally as the Basotholand Mounted Police. After independence in 1966, its name changed to the Lesotho Mounted Police, and it was re-named the Royal Lesotho Mounted Police after the coup in 1986. Its name was changed via the 1998 Police Act, to become the Lesotho Mounted Police Service as it is known today.

The country also has several private security companies, employed largely in providing security services for the commercial sector, whilst also often being used to secure private homes of diplomats, ex-patriots and other well-to-do citizens of the country.

Lesotho has numerous hospitals and clinics dotted around the country, be they government establishments, private hospitals or church-affiliated clinics. These are ready to meet most minor ailments but the more serious are referred to other institutions in the Republic of South Africa, and mostly to Bloemfontein in the Free State Province of South Africa. Numerous doctors with private practices can be found throughout the country.

The country’s newest private hospital was built at Thetsane, just outside and to the south of Maseru, and most of the other government and private hospitals are undergoing major renovations and refurbishment.

Being at such a high altitude means that Lesotho is free from Malaria, one of the more prevalent diseases in South and Southern Africa. However, visitors coming from countries where Cholera and Yellow Fever are found need to have valid medical certificates when entering Lesotho.