His Majesty King Letsie III on Wednesday led the commemoration of the 2021 World AIDS Day at the event held at Manthabiseng Convention Centre on December 01.
This year’s theme is ‘End Inequalities, End Aids, End Pandemics’
Giving his remarks, His Majesty said this year’s themes requires all of us to take action and strengthen the efforts in this titanic struggle to defeat the monster that is HIV and AIDS, saying it leaves many Basotho mourning for their loved ones.
He said on the 1^st December the nation is expected to show unwavering support to people leaving with HIV and AIDS and remember those who passed away due to this disease.
His Majesty added that the nation is also expected to come up with new strategies that will help curb the spread of HIV and AIDS.
He expressed concern that Lesotho is ranked second in the world ranking regarding HIV and AIDS, however noting that there is hope as the government and Basotho with the support from the development partners are leading to positive results.
He said the LEPHIA 2020 results show that among Basotho adults who tested, 97 percent of them are on treatment and 92 percent had a viral load suppression, saying Lesotho has archived the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets.
His Majesty, therefore, commended health Practitioners for always taking care of patients with HIV and AIDS also appealing to Basotho to avoid engaging in activities that will get them infected with HIV and AIDS.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Prime Minister, Dr Moeketsi Majoro expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders, saying the government could not fight this virus alone.
He said even though the country has archived remarkable progress in the fight against the pandemic, the race continues, saying Lesotho will be among the countries of the world that will end Aids by 2030.
In conclusion, Dr Majoro urged everyone to put more effort on the prevention of HIV, sensitization of HIV response and work together in a coordinated and systematic manner to end inequalities, Aids and other pandemics.
On the same token, the U.S. Ambassador to Lesotho, Ms Rebecca Gonzales said it is gratifying for joining His Majesty King Letsie III once again to participate in the Kingdom of Lesotho’s national commemoration of World AIDS Day.
She also commented the Prime Minister for supporting the efforts of the global HIV/AIDS community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that they will continue to support the Lesotho government in its efforts to save and improve lives through swift and decisive action driven by data, agility, and innovation.
She noted that as U.S. Ambassador, she is proud to note that with nearly two decades of bipartisan support across Presidential administrations and from the United States Congress, they have invested more than $85 billion thus approximately 1.3 trillion Maloti in the global AIDS response through PEPFAR and as the leading donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Today marks 40 years since Lesotho tested the first patients with HIV and AIDS.
By Staff Reporter: ‘Maphoka Likotsi