m-mama, a pioneering emergency transport service, has transformed maternal and newborn healthcare in Lesotho. From Vodacom Foundation pilot project to government-backed initiative, m-mama is saving lives through connectivity and community collaboration.

Weak health systems and delayed access to healthcare are significant causes of maternal and newborn deaths across sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that 566 women die for every 100 000 live births, and 50 deaths of infants occur for every 1 000 live births in Lesotho.

In 2019, we invested $4.5 million to establish and support m-mama in the Mountain Kingdom, offering affordable emergency transport to mothers and newborns for vital life-saving healthcare in rural areas.

How m-mama works – and how it’s working well

Prior to m-mama, Lesotho’s challenging terrain and dispersed population presented significant barriers to timely emergency care. The high cost of a solely ambulance-based system proved unsustainable, leading to tragic delays and preventable deaths.

m-mama employs a network of community drivers using readily available transport – from cars and horses to boats – to supplement the ambulance service, at a much cheaper cost.

This network of local drivers acts as “taxi ambulances”. With detailed referral plans for every clinic and village, the system provides critical management of emergency transport.

  • When the patient makes a free call to a 24/7 dispatch centre, a call handler assesses the patient’s condition, using the m-mama app, designed for use on- and offline in rural areas.
  • If healthcare is required, the nearest volunteer emergency driver is identified on the m-mama app and receives a request to take the patient to an identified health facility for stabilisation or treatment.
  • The dispatcher calls ahead to ensure that the facility is able to treat the patient, diverting to a preordained alternative if need.
  • On safe arrival at the final treatment facility, the driver is paid instantly for the journey via M-PESA or another approved mechanism.

A vital lifeline for mothers and newborns

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Through m-mama, we’re using mobile technology to connect pregnant women to care when they need it the most, and its impact is undeniable:

  • 7 675 mothers and newborns have received emergency transport, including 7 117 maternal emergencies, 538 newborn emergencies, and 20 cases requiring transport for both mother and child.
  • An estimated 186 lives have been saved.

This remarkable achievement involved a robust network, utilising 9 521 community driver trips and 231 ambulance trips, demonstrating both the service’s extensive reach and efficient resource management.

Praise from the Queen

Her Majesty Queen ’Masenate Mohato Seeiso

In January 2025, m-mama was officially transferred from a Vodacom project to a fully government-funded initiative.

In her address at the handover ceremony, Her Majesty Queen ’Masenate Mohato Seeiso lauded m-mama’s success as a testimony to the power of collaboration, thanking Vodafone Foundation and Vodacom Lesotho for their life-saving contribution. She expressed her happiness for the mothers who received assistance through m-mama, encouraging them to raise their children well so they can contribute to the future economy.

For Basotho, by Basotho

Mohale Ralebitso, CEO of Vodacom Lesotho, highlighted the partnership’s achievements, expressing confidence in the Health Ministry’s capacity to continue the programme. Lee Wells of Vodafone Foundation expressed his organisation’s satisfaction with the lives saved and its optimism for future successes. He emphasised that m-mama is for the Basotho and is already managed by Basotho, ensuring its continued success.

In their own words: mothers’ testimonies

“I witnessed first-hand how m-mama came to my aid during a critical moment in my life. In the eighth month of my pregnancy, unusual pains gripped my body. Fear washed over me as I realised that the nearest health centre at Ha ’Matholoana was a gruelling two-hour walk away.

“However, I was not alone. Thanks to the support of our village health worker and m-mama, my situation took a dramatic turn for the better. They quickly arranged for me to be transported to Berea Government Hospital. Upon arrival, I received prompt medical attention and was swiftly referred to Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital in Maseru, where I received specialised care and successfully delivered a healthy baby.”
– Sebolelo of Ha Sekantši, Berea
“I want to thank m-mama for its intervention during my hour of need. In August of last year when I started experiencing intense labour pains, I found myself without a single cent for transport to the nearest clinic at Likhetlane. With the baby’s arrival imminent, I was overcome with anxiety and despair.

“However, due to the prompt and compassionate intervention of my village health worker, I was able to contact m-mama. Within minutes, I was transported by m-mama's dedicated taxi to Maluti Adventist Hospital in Mapoteng, where I received the critical care I needed.”
– ’Mathabang of Mpharane, Leribe
When Keitumetse entered the final trimester of her pregnancy, she started experiencing labour pains. With the swift intervention of m-mama, a local taxi rushed her to the village clinic. Recognising the seriousness of her condition, she was promptly transferred to Berea Government Hospital, where she received the critical care she needed.

“I want to thank m-mama for their immediate response. Only God knows the complications I could have suffered had they not acted on time.”
– Keitumetse of Ha Mohatlane, Berea
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