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HIV and AIDS in Lesotho

Lesotho has the third highest HIV prevalence in the world - just under one in four people in the country are living with HIV.1 2 In 2011 there were around 26,000 new HIV infections and approximately 14,000 people died from AIDS.3 Over half of the 280,000 adults living with HIV in Lesotho are women.4

“There are two types of people in Lesotho; those infected and those affected by HIV/AIDS”.5

The AIDS epidemic in Lesotho has had a devastating impact on the country. Crippling poverty combined with AIDS has caused average life expectancy to drop to 48.2 years.6 The impact on individuals, families and the whole nation is being felt as adults become too sick to work, and children orphaned by AIDS are left to run households.

back to top The history of AIDS in Lesotho

Map of Lesotho showing population and life expectancy Map of Lesotho showing population and life expectancy

Lesotho’s first AIDS case was reported in 1986. Since then the government has struggled to take concrete action against HIV/AIDS due to poor finances and infrastructure. The National AIDS Prevention and Control Programme was initiated in 1987,7 and sentinel surveys were introduced by 1992 to monitor the spread of HIV every two years. However, up until the year 2000, surveys were inconsistent due to lack of funding and technical problems.8

By 1996 HIV prevalence had risen to an alarming 26% among pregnant women aged 20 to 24, from 3.9% in 1992.9

In 2000 the government released the Multisectoral National AIDS Strategic Plan. This intended to reduce HIV prevalence by 5%, increase annual condom use by 50% and provide care for half of Lesotho’s children orphaned by AIDS, all by 2003. It also aimed to mobilise resources to co-ordinate the national AIDS response, improve information and communication on HIV/AIDS, and improve sentinel surveillance of HIV.10

In 2001 the Lesotho AIDS Programme Co-ordinating Authority (LAPCA) was established to implement the new strategy. Unfortunately inadequate skills and financial resources constrained LAPCA’s capacity. Even though HIV prevalence did not rise significantly between 2000 and 2003, the goal of reducing HIV prevalence by 5% by 2003 was not achieved. In 2003 King Letsie III declared HIV/AIDS a national disaster.11

By 2005 LAPCA was replaced by the semi-autonomous National AIDS Commission (NAC) and National AIDS Secretariat (NAS) to co-ordinate existing strategies for tackling the AIDS epidemic.12

In 2006 Lesotho passed the Legal Capacity of Married Person's Act, which provides equal status to married women.13 Under traditional customary law women lacked political, financial and social rights, which made it more difficult for them to resist demands for sex and negotiate safer sex practices. This therefore made them more vulnerable to HIV infection. It is hoped the passing of the law will change women's subordinate status in Lesotho’s traditional culture, and enable them to better protect themselves from HIV.

Considering that more than half Lesotho’s population live in poverty, declining productivity as a result of HIV/AIDS remains a stark threat to the overall survival of the country.14 In 2007, Keketso Sefeane, chief executive of the National AIDS Commission in Lesotho, said HIV/AIDS has the potential to "wipe out" the country.15

back to top The current HIV and AIDS situation in Lesotho

Since 2005 there has been no significant change in Lesotho's national adult HIV prevalence.16 Of those infected with HIV in Lesotho:

  • 41,000 are children;
  • 42% of people who need treatment are not accessing it;
  • and around 60% of adults are women.17

Lesotho’s AIDS effort is now guided by the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan 2011/12-2015/16.18 The government intends to reverse the epidemic by reducing new HIV infections by 50%, strengthening coping mechanisms for vulnerable people and providing antiretroviral treatment and care for all those in need.

back to top Universal HIV testing in Lesotho

In March 2004, Lesotho’s government launched an ambitious voluntary counselling and testing campaign, which aimed for every member of the population over 12 to be tested for HIV by the end of 2007. Lesotho’s Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili, launched the scheme, entitled 'Know Your Status', by testing publicly for HIV. The campaign intended to overcome the stigma and discrimination that surrounds HIV and AIDS in Lesotho, which has prevented many people from being tested.19

The innovative scheme also planned for 3,600 community health workers to be trained in HIV testing and counselling. These counsellors would approach every single household with rapid HIV tests. Everyone tested and counselled would then be referred to post-test services according to their HIV status. The plan relied on communities to choose how testing and counselling should be progressively rolled out.20

Unfortunately by October 2006, the testing campaign had only recruited 720 community volunteers. Communities and local health centres needed much more time than was expected to mobilize resources for the programme. The World Health Organisation, the Global Fund and the United Nations Development Programme have provided financial support; however conditions of poverty and rural isolation, where many of the population can only be reached on foot or by horseback, hinder efforts to roll out local services. Lesotho’s lack of healthcare workers has proved a further obstacle to the testing campaign.21

A Human Rights Watch report investigating the campaign found some major faults.22 Key areas of negligence were poor training and supervision of testing counsellors, failures in safeguarding human rights, and inconsistent links between testing and treatment centres. Accountability was directed at the government and WHO for not recognising and addressing the problem.23 The report also claimed that only 2% of the target 1.3 million people were tested for HIV by August 2007 through the scheme.24 However, whilst testing and counselling coverage was only 2.7% in 2004,25 in 2011, 35% of adults had taken an HIV test and received the results in the last year.26

back to top HIV prevention in Lesotho

The government of Lesotho has implemented several HIV prevention strategies, including educational campaigns, work-based HIV prevention initiatives, the targeting of high-risk groups and prevention of mother-to-child transmission. An estimated $26.5 million was spent on HIV prevention between 2006-07.27

Educational campaigns

Billboard promoting condom use in Maseru, Lesotho Billboard promoting condom use in Maseru, Lesotho

In 2005 UNICEF and the government embarked on an interactive educational HIV/AIDS ‘roadshow’ designed to increase HIV awareness among young people. The roadshow provided entertainment such as talent shows, poetry, sports and dance, as well as life skills activities and educational tools. Counsellors and HIV tests were made available at all roadshow events.28

To promote HIV/AIDS awareness at a young age, the topic has been included in the school curriculum at both primary and secondary school levels in subjects such as health and physical education, science, agriculture, home economics, and geography.

Despite the increased government focus on HIV prevention, still only 29% of 15-24 year old males and 39% of 15-24 year old females can correctly identify ways of preventing sexual transmission of HIV.29

Workplace prevention initiatives

In 2006 Lesotho's Labour Code was amended to include policies and standards in terms of HIV and AIDS management in the workplace.30 Lesotho has also developed national guidelines for the implementation of workplace HIV and AIDS education programmes.31

Lesotho’s largest employment sector is the textile industry, and factory owners and the government have recognised HIV/AIDS as a major threat to productivity.32 The majority of textile workers are women, one third of whom are estimated to be HIV positive. The Apparel Lesotho Alliance to Fight AIDS (ALAFA) was initiated in 2005 to provide free condoms, advice and antiretroviral therapy to workers. By the end of November 2007, around 17,000 workers had access to the complete ALAFA workplace HIV programme.33 It is estimated that 1,850 lives could be saved every year with these interventions.34

Condom Distribution

Since July 2001 low-priced male condoms have been supplied through community-based distribution systems. In the first year of the project, the number of shops selling condoms in Lesotho almost tripled and the number of condoms distributed through the private sector more than doubled.35

Community organization SHARP! (Sexual Health and Rights Promotion) has provided free condoms through resource centres and local outlets such as police stations, village chief compounds and border posts.36

Targeting high-risk groups

HIV awareness education and condom social marketing has been targeted towards sex workers, migrant labourers, factory workers, young people and long-distance taxi and truck drivers.37 The 2002 Behavioural Surveillance survey found that knowledge about HIV/AIDS was particularly low amongst miners and taxi drivers.38

In 2005, a scheme was launched in Lesotho’s capital, Maseru, to increase HIV awareness among hard-to-reach migrant workers and their families. The programme aims to increase knowledge of HIV/AIDS and condom usage, and access to voluntary counselling and testing services. Sporting tournaments, training and outreach activities promote HIV prevention and testing services.39

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT)

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A video about PMTCT in Lesotho.

In recent years Lesotho has dramatically increased PMTCT services. In 2005 only 12% of pregnant HIV positive women were receiving antiretroviral drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission.40 By 2007 this figure had increased to 32 percent41  and by 2011, 62% of HIV positive women were receiving antiretroviral drugs for PMTCT.42 In 2010 only 57% of pregnant women were tested for HIV - this could be due to inaccessibility of testing services, especially in poorer and rural areas.43 44 However, Lesotho has made progress in providing better drug regimens for pregnant women living with HIV; in 2010 nearly 90% received a combination regimen of ARVs (as recommended by WHO) instead of single dose nevirapine and 47% received treatment for their own health.45 46 Nevertheless, new infections among children have not diminished much since 2009, with an estimated 3,800 children newly infected through mother-to-child transmission in 2011.47

Lesotho is considered to be a priority country in regards to PMTCT and increasing HIV prevention knowledge among women aged 15-24 is considered key to lowering the mother-to-child transmission rate, reported as 26 percent.48 HIV prevention knowledge among this group has increased since 2004, yet remains low at only 39 percent. In 2011, the country launched its ‘Mother-Baby Pack’.49 As 90% of pregnant women attend antenatal care at least once during pregnancy, the packs are handed out on the first visit for maximum coverage. The idea is to provide women with a colour coded medication pack that they can use for the duration of pregnancy and afterwards, to prevent HIV transmission to their child. The aim is to overcome issues that prevent women making repeated trips to healthcare centres, such as geography and poverty.

back to top Treatment for HIV in Lesotho

Antiretroviral therapy has been available in Lesotho since 2001, initially through the Christian Health Association of Lesotho for the few that could afford it. The government launched its national programme to provide free antiretroviral therapy in November 2004, and by December 2005 around 8,400 people were receiving treatment.50

Lesotho's attempts to provide national antiretroviral treatment have been held back by huge shortages in healthcare staff. In 2007 it was reported that there were only 89 doctors for the whole population, 80% of which were from other African countries.51 Skilled medical professionals often travel abroad to seek higher wages, leaving a shortage of trained staff in the country.52

The World Health Organization (WHO) set a target for Lesotho to treat 27,000 people by 2005, or an estimated half of those who needed it. This was not achieved, and was put back to 2006.53 By December 2007 only 22,000 people were able to access treatment.54 A total of 104 sites were providing antiretroviral therapy, which included sites in remote parts of the country.55

In recent years Lesotho has made significant progress in treatment scale-up. By the end of 2008, the number of people receiving antiretroviral drugs was double that of 2007.56  In 2011, an estimated 83,600 people were receiving treatment, 58% of those in need.57 This coverage is based on the latest WHO guidelines (2010) which recommend starting treatment earlier.

In contrast, only a quarter of children needing antiretroviral treatment are receiving it, with over 9,000 children eligible for treatment unable to access it.58 It is reported, however, that more than three quarters of HIV-exposed infants receive an HIV test within two months of age. Testing infants early for HIV is key to preventing infant mortality due to AIDS, however, testing must be complimented with treatment if survival among children living with HIV in Lesotho is to improve.59 Currently, nearly a third of deaths in children under-five in Lesotho are due to HIV.

back to top Care for orphans

The number of children orphaned by AIDS in Lesotho is rapidly increasing. Out of all countries with an HIV prevalence greater than 1 percent, Lesotho has the largest percentage of children who have lost one or both parents.60 A large section of Lesotho’s younger generation face growing up without parental support.

The numbers of safe houses and orphanages that take care of orphans too young or unable to fend for themselves, has increased dramatically. These have tended to be unregulated. This phenomenon can expose already vulnerable children to further trauma, abuse and neglect.61 England’s Prince Harry, and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho have set up the “Sentebale” charity, in support of Lesotho’s orphans. The charity funds projects that attempt to fill some of the gaps left by existing government and community based projects.62

back to top What next for Lesotho?

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A video about Lesotho's AIDS epidemic.

The government of Lesotho has shown a forward thinking and dynamic approach to combating the spread of HIV. Unfortunately plans have been set back by financial constraints, severe shortages of health workers and the logistical difficulty of reaching parts of the population in mountainous and isolated rural areas.

Nevertheless, with foreign funding and technical assistance, Lesotho may be able to strengthen local communities to implement services, and improve rights for women. These measures are desperately needed in order for Lesotho to reduce the number of people becoming infected with HIV, and increase access to treatment and care for those living with the virus.

Nominet Winner 2012

References back to top

  1. UNGASS (2010) 'UNGASS Country Progress Report'
  2. UNAIDS (2012) 'Global Report 2012: AIDSinfo'
  3. UNAIDS (2012) 'Global Report 2012: AIDSinfo'
  4. UNAIDS (2012) 'Global Report 2012: AIDSinfo'
  5. CARE Lesotho (2004, April) ‘Lesotho’s Strength is its People: A Rapid Appraisal of Home and Community Based Care’ p.5
  6. UNDP (2011) ‘Human Development Report 2011’
  7. Government of Lesotho (2006, November) 'National HIV and AIDS Policy' p.24
  8. Family Health International, et al (2002) ‘HIV/AIDS Behavioural Surveillance Survey 2002’
  9. Human Sciences Research Council (2004) ‘An Audit of HIV/AIDS policies in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe’ p.8
  10. Government of Lesotho (2000, September) ‘National AIDS Strategic Plan, 2000/2001-2003/2004’ September 2000, p.18,19
  11. Government of Lesotho (2006, November) 'National HIV and AIDS Policy'
  12. USAID (2005, April) ‘Health Profile: Lesotho’
  13. UNGASS (2008) 'Lesotho UNGASS country report'
  14. Government of Lesotho (2006, November) ‘National HIV and AIDS Policy’ p.22
  15. Kaiser Foundation (2007, 22nd August) 'HIV/AIDS could 'wipe out' Lesotho, official says'
  16. UNGASS (2008) 'Lesotho UNGASS country report'
  17. UNAIDS (2012) 'Global Report 2012: AIDSinfo'
  18. UNGASS (2012) 'Lesotho: Global AIDS Response Country Progress Report'
  19. World Health Organisation (2007) ‘WHO applauds Lesotho Prime Minister for leading universal voluntary HIV testing drive'
  20. Government of Lesotho, ‘Lesotho Know Your Status (KYS) Campaign Plan 2006-2007’
  21. IRIN (2006, 20th October) ‘Testing Campaign Struggles to Get Off the Ground’
  22. Human Rights Watch (2008) 'A testing challenge: The experience of Lesotho's universal HIV counseling and testing campaign'
  23. Human Rights Watch (2008) 'A testing challenge: The experience of Lesotho's universal HIV counseling and testing campaign'
  24. Human Rights Watch (2008) 'A testing challenge: The experience of Lesotho's universal HIV counseling and testing campaign'
  25. WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF (2008) 'Towards Universal Access: Scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector'
  26. UNAIDS (2012) 'Global Report 2012: AIDSinfo'
  27. UNGASS (2008) 'Lesotho UNGASS country report'
  28. UNICEF (2005) ‘Lesotho: Road show provides entertainment and HIV/AIDS education’
  29. UNGASS (2012) 'Lesotho: Global AIDS Response Country Progress Report'
  30. Government of Lesotho (2009) 'Workplace HIV and AIDS policies'
  31. UNGASS (2008) 'Lesotho UNGASS country report'
  32. ALAFA (2006, May) ‘Private Sector Response to HIV and AIDS in Lesotho’
  33. UNGASS (2008) 'Lesotho UNGASS country report'
  34. ALAFA (2006, May) ‘Private Sector Response to HIV and AIDS in Lesotho’
  35. Population Services International, ‘Southern Africa regional Social Marketing Program’
  36. CARE Lesotho (2004, April) ‘Lesotho’s Strength is its People: A Rapid Appraisal of Home and Community Based Care’ p.5
  37. Population Services International, ‘Southern Africa regional Social Marketing Program’
  38. Family Health International, et al (2002) ‘HIV/AIDS Behavioural Surveillance Survey 2002’
  39. Afrol News (2005, 15th June) ‘Migrant workers targeted in Lesotho AIDS campaign’
  40. WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF (2007) 'Towards universal access: Scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector'
  41. WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF (2008) 'Towards universal access: Scaling up priority interventions in the health sector'
  42. UNAIDS (2012) 'Global Report 2012: AIDSinfo'
  43. WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF (2011) ‘Global HIV/AIDS Response: Epidemic update and health sector progress towards Universal Access 2011’
  44. UNICEF (2010) 'Lesotho: PMTCT'
  45. WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF (2011) ‘Global HIV/AIDS Response: Epidemic update and health sector progress towards Universal Access 2011’
  46. UNICEF (2010) 'Lesotho: PMTCT'
  47. UNAIDS (2012) 'Global Report 2012: AIDSinfo'
  48. WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF (2011) ‘Global HIV/AIDS Response: Epidemic update and health sector progress towards Universal Access 2011’
  49. UNGASS (2012) 'Lesotho: Global AIDS Response Country Progress Report'
  50. World Health Organisation (2005) ‘Summary country profile for HIV/AIDS treatment scale-up’ [PDF]
  51. MSF (2007, 24th May) 'Lesotho: Nurse-based treatment but not enough nurses'
  52. IRIN (2006, 27th April) 'Lack of healthcare workers a drain on new HIV/AIDS plan'
  53. World Health Organisation (2005) ‘Summary country profile for HIV/AIDS treatment scale-up’ [PDF]
  54. WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF (2008) 'Towards universal access: Scaling up priority interventions in the health sector'
  55. UNGASS (2008) 'Lesotho UNGASS country report'
  56. WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF (2009) 'Towards universal access: Scaling up priority interventions in the health sector'
  57. UNAIDS (2012) 'Global Report 2012: AIDSinfo'
  58. UNAIDS (2012) 'Global Report 2012: AIDSinfo'
  59. WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF (2011) ‘Global HIV/AIDS Response: Epidemic update and health sector progress towards Universal Access 2011’
  60. UNICEF (2008) 'Children and AIDS: Third stocktaking report, 2008'
  61. UNICEF (2006, 17th March) ‘Lesotho: New guidelines set for care of orphans and vulnerable children’
  62. ‘Sentebale, Forget me Not: The Princes’ Fund for Lesotho’