Global HIV/AIDS

Lesotho

HIV/AIDS in Lesotho

22.9% Estimated HIV Prevalence
(Age 15–49) (2013)
16,000 Estimated AIDS Deaths (2013)
150,000 Estimated Orphans due to AIDS (2013)
87,352 Reported Number of Adults Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) (2012)
59% Estimated ART Coverage per WHO 2010 Guidelines (2012)

SOURCE:
UNAIDS Gap Report, 2014; UNAIDS Global Report, 2013

Strategic Focus

The CDC-Lesotho office opened in 2007. CDC supports an integrated continuum of services that help improve public health policies, prevention interventions, TB/HIV care and treatment, health management information systems, and laboratory capacity. This support is provided in close partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) and its implementing partners. CDC plays an integral role in providing the MOHSW with technical and administrative leadership in its program areas.

Comprehensive HIV Care, Treatment and Prevention services
CDC works closely with the MOHSW and other in-country partners to scale-up HIV prevention, care and treatment services, including preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT), counseling and testing services, and integrated TB/HIV service delivery using a district- based approach. CDC works with Lesotho’s MOHSW to support HIV program activities, including blood safety, early infant diagnosis (EID), and health systems strengthening. CDC provides technical leadership in building human capacity for HIV/AIDS/TB treatment programs by supporting training and mentoring for health workers.

Strengthening Laboratory Systems
CDC provides technical assistance to implement quality laboratory systems, laboratory diagnosis and monitoring tests, and new diagnostic technologies. CDC, in partnership with its implementing partners, provides the necessary technical expertise in developing local capacity for effective coordination of laboratory and blood safety programs to improve service quality.

Key Activities and Accomplishments

HIV Care and Treatment Services
CDC has provided assistance in the national implementation of Option B+ for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, supported the adaptation of the 2013 WHO Comprehensive Antiretroviral (ARV) guidelines, and worked closely with the MOHSW to improve ART uptake among TB/HIV co-infected people to greater than 70% nationally.

Early Infant Diagnosis
CDC provided leadership and assistance to establish HIV deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase chain reaction-based early infant diagnosis tools.

Blood Safety
CDC has been a key partner in strengthening Lesotho’s national blood safety program, including blood collection scale-up and the renovation of two regional blood banks with blood transfusion equipment.

Operational Research
CDC has worked closely with the MOHSW and the World Health Organization in piloting the use of new technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of TB and multiple drug resistant TB.