Dr. Maria Lebese

Dr. Maria Lebese is a skilled Neonatologist and Pediatric Nutritionist with 20 years of experience at Thaba-Tseka Regional Hospital. She specializes in newborn care, particularly preterm infants and low-birth-weight babies, offering comprehensive management of neonatal conditions such as respiratory distress, infection, and feeding difficulties. Dr. Lebese is also highly skilled in pediatric nutrition, providing expert advice on infant feeding and nutrition in early childhood. Her focus is on promoting optimal growth and development through breastfeeding support, introducing complementary foods, and managing malnutrition in young children. Dr. Lebese's work ensures that infants and children receive the best care from birth through early childhood.

Dr. Lebese has been actively involved in research focusing on neonatal care and pediatric nutrition, particularly in the context of preterm birth and low birth weight. Her research has explored breastfeeding practices, early nutritional interventions, and their impact on infant development. She has also studied the prevention of malnutrition in young children and the effectiveness of community-based nutrition programs in rural areas. Dr. Lebese's research findings have been presented at medical conferences and have contributed to improving neonatal care protocols and pediatric nutrition policies in Lesotho.

• Excellence in Neonatal Care (2010)

• Best Pediatric Nutritionist (2015)

Dr. Maria Lebese has authored several publications in neonatology and pediatric nutrition. One of her key papers, published in 2014, focused on early nutritional interventions and their role in reducing preterm infant mortality. She has also written about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and nutritional guidelines for children at risk of malnutrition. Her work continues to shape neonatal care and pediatric nutrition practices in Lesotho.