Click on each Question to reveal its answer

1. What is National AIDS Commission?

NAC is a parastatal that reports to the Right Honourable the Prime Minister. It was established in September 2005 to coordinate the national response to HIV and AIDS. It provides policy guidance and leadership in the response.

2. What is the mandate of the National AIDS Commission?

The responsibility of NAC is to coordinate the national response against HIV and AIDS; by ensuring that a supportive environment conducive for stakeholders to operate exists and providing guidance in line with the country’s objectives.

3. What is Lesotho’s HIV prevalence rate?

Lesotho’s HIV prevalence is 23.2%.

4. What are the key drivers for HIV transmission in Lesotho?

The key drivers for HIV transmission are:

o Poverty
o High population mobility
o Gender inequality and lack of empowerment
o Multiple Concurrent Partnerships
o Intergenerational sex
o Substance abuse
o Inadequate education of the population on HIV and AIDS

5. What risk does Multiple and Concurrent Partnerships (MCP) pose in relation to HIV transmission?

The risk posed by MCP is that it creates a huge network of sexual relations such that when one person gets infected, everyone in the network can get infected; especially because there is a tendency for people in a relationship not to use condoms when they believe they trust each other.

6. What is the main weapon in the fight against HIV and AIDS?

Prevention of new infections is the main weapon against the pandemic; and this could be done by reducing the rate of the key drivers mentioned in Question 3. One other important measure is the correct consistent use of condoms.

7. What important role does male circumcision play in HIV prevention?

Male circumcision (full removal of the foreskin) reduces the rate of HIV infection to a male by 60%. It is not however a silver bullet and should be used in conjunction with other prevention measures, i.e condoms.

8. To whom does NAC provide funding?

NAC provides funding to umbrella organizations such as Lesotho Youth Federation, Lesotho Inter-religious Consortium (LIRAC), Leotho Sport and Recreation Commission etc. The reason for this is because these organizations have a wide coverage since they have subsidiaries through out the country. This approach also enhances coordination of the national response.

9. What is LENEPWHA?

LENEPWHA is a body established to coordinate activities of People Living with HIV and AIDS in       Lesotho. Most of PLWVs are members, but there are some that are not members.

10. Where can I get tested?

One can get tested at the public or private health centres.

11. What kind of assistance can I get if I test positive?

You will receive post test counseling which will lead you to the necessary services depending on your CD4 count. If you are eligible to ARVs you will be guided accordingly, but note that they are available free of charge.

12. Can a positive person have children?

Yes a positive person can bear children and the child can be born negative if the mother enrolls on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme before the baby is born.

13. How should I deal with an HIV positive friend/co-worker/classmate?

You should deal with them like you deal with anyone. You should not sympathise with them but support them whenever, there is need for support. Do not discriminate against them.

14. Are condoms safe?

Condoms are safe as a means of preventing HIV transmission and for family planning purposes.

15. How do I benefit from NAC as an individual

NAC encourages people to join support groups and organisations involved in mitigating the impact of HIV and AIDS in their communities. This makes it easier for NAC to coordinate at national level.

16. How does NAC assist community health workers who are involved in HIV and AIDS work?

NAC has disbursed funds to all the 128 Community Councils in the country. All service providers at community level should contact Community Councils for them to be known and to align their interventions with identified key problem areas of such communities.

17. Why are funds disbursed to Community Councils?

NAC strongly believes that Community Councils know best the needs of their communities because they are at the grassroots where the people live. Community Councils are therefore the “Gateway” to successful interventions at community level.

18. What services does NAC provide at district level?

Technical support, data collection and monitoring and evaluation on issues of HIV and AIDS.

19. What must I do if exposed to HIV transmission through rape?

You must go to the nearest health facility for administration of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), which should be administered within 2 hours of exposure, failing which it should be administered within 72 hours