Among the challenges facing the country, one of the prominent hindrances of economic development of the country and the nation at large is HIV and AIDS. We are rated one of the highest countries in the world with a prevalence of 23.2%. Our main challenge is to reduce the number of people who get sick as well as those who die, as a weapon for economic development of Basotho.

This was said by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s office, Honourable Dr. Motloheloa Phooko when officially opening the third quarterly HIV and AIDS partnership forum on February 26, 2009.

The forum, which is held on a quarterly basis is a platform for reviewing progress for the quarter ending. It thus provides an opportunity to monitor and review implementation of the Annual Operational Plan by stakeholders in HIV and AIDS. It offers opportunity to take stock of all interventions and efforts to scale up the response against HIV and AIDS; and find out whether these are producing expected impact necessary and whether there is need to redouble efforts.

As in previous partnership fora, the forum commenced with a presentation on updates on issues raised during the last forum. Thereafter the main presentation of the day, which was progress on the national response was provided, followed by district response reports, presentation on the progress of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) midterm review, presentation on research findings of the HIV and AIDS Workplace survey and a statement by UNAIDS on the joint UN programme of support on AIDS.

National and district response

The national and district reports, which covered the period from October to December 2008 were structured and presented along the four key thematic areas of Management and Coordination, Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support and Impact mitigation

Under management and coordination, it was highlighted that an amount of M3, 693.657 was disbursed to 10 implementing partners by NAC. In addition, 5 Ministries were allocated M907, 080.00, which brought the total of disbursed funds to M4, 600, 737.

It was further reported that prevention programmes continued across all sectors although a decline was realised compared to the previous quarters in terms of HTC, IEC materials and condom distribution. In terms of PMTCT, it was shown that there has been a dramatic coverage from 3.1% of pregnant women in 2004 to 41.6% by the end of 2008. Health facilities which provide PMTCT had increased from 9 in 2004 to 166 in 2008, with coverage of 24,921 pregnant women to date.

Talking about the presenters noted that under treatment, care and support, a total of 26, 607 adults were on ART, with more women receiving ART. There was a slight increase in the uptake of ART compared to the last quarter. On the other hand, the number of children on ART in the reporting period is 3, 038, also showing a minor increase compared to the previous quarter. It was said thatthe number of people who received home based care in the quarter also declined to 43, 513 compared to 75, 837 in the last quarter. ).The comparison given with the last quarters showed that the number of OVCs who received care and support declined amounting to 57, 172, while in the first quarter and last quarter the number was 151, 073 and 98, 461 respectively.


Progress on the National Strategic Plan (NSP) review

When presenting the highlights of the NSP review, Mr. Thabang Tšehlo, Section Head-Policy and Strategy indicated that consultations on the NSP review both at national and district level were completed. The consultations were based on the four thematic areas of Management and coordination, prevention, treatment, care and support and impact mitigation.

He informed the Forum that a first draft report would be developed and shared with stakeholders. Where gaps were identified, relevant partners would be consulted. The costing of the NSP would be conducted, followed by the development of the annual operational plan. Once the review of the NSP was completed, the mid-term review of the Monitoring and Evaluation plan would follow.

Research findings on the HIV and AIDS Workplace Survey

The findings of the HIV and AIDS workplace survey were presented at the Forum by the Consultant Ms ‘Mamohau Mohatla from Senkhome Consultancy. a She explained that the survey was meant to assess the extend to which HIV and AIDS workplace interventions were being implemented in both the public and private sectors, and she provided policy and strategic recommendations.

In a nutshell, she highlighted findings of the survey in that the workplace was not a prominent source of HIV and AIDS information for workers, there was significant knowledge about HIV and AIDS in workplaces and the attitude of workers to people living with HIV and AIDS was relatively positive and stigma and discrimination was minimal. However, it was indicated that this was just highlights of the findings and more would be shared.

Joint UN programme of support on AIDS

Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie, the UN Resident Coordinator, briefed the forum on the envisaged joint UN programme for support on AIDS. she said thatwas a programme in which all UN agencies have decided to work as one and provide support jointly, to avoid fragmented programmes yet working towards the same goals. This would result in support which has more impact and would benefit the country, She further advised stakeholders that all needed to hurry up in the response towards HIV and AIDS.


The Forum was officially closed by the NAC Chief Executive Mr.Keketso Sefeane who thanked all stakeholders for having supported him and the National AIDS Commission while carrying out the vast mandate of coordinating the National Response. He then noted that could be his last meeting as his tenure of office had come to an end. “I take this opportunity to wish you all the best in the fight against the pandemic as I step down and hope you will support the new incumbent as well as you supported me,” he concluded.