The Malawian First Lady, Professor Getrude Mutharika accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Maesaiah Thababne launched ‘Free to Shine Campaign’ in Maseru on Thursday.
The launch comes after Mrs. Thabane launched a similar campaign for Professor Mutharika in Malawi in 2017.
Delivering her speech, Professor Mutharika commended health professionals in the country, saying they are doing a wonderful job of helping the sick.
She said both Lesotho and Malawi are doing a similar work of advocating against early child marriages, teenage pregnancy and HIV and AIDS.
She commended Lesotho for the initiatives, therefore urged young girls to rise and shine for their future.
In the same token, the Minister of Health, Mr. Nkaku Kabi said there is need to join forces in fighting the scourge of HIV and AIDS, commending the First Ladies for taking a lead in the initiative.
He highlighted that the Ministry is seeking to ensure that youth get sexual reproductive health services freely without being victimised.
She said the availability of young Nurses at hospitals will ensure that youth openly talk about their issues so as to get assistance.
“We must fight fear amongst youth, let them know that they are human beings and are entitled to health services,” he stressed.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator Lesotho, Mr. Salvator Niyonzima said the campaign is important as it seeks to unite Africans, to come on board in dealing with early marriages, HIV and AIDS amongst children as well as teenage pregnancy.
He said with strong political will, the challenge can be turned around, saying  73 percent of children from the ages of 0-14 are HIV and AIDS positive , a thing she stressed needs attention from all.
One Ms. Lieketseng Moiloa who received Maternal Child Health services commended health professionals for their efforts in delivering services.
“It is through their support that we gained better health thus giving birth to healthly children,” she stressed.
The event started with the two First Ladies and their team touring at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital.
Source: LENA 22/11/2018