Global Fund Grants in Lesotho
28 February 2020
Lesotho has made significant progress in the fight against HIV, evidenced by a 15% decline in AIDS-related deaths and a 35% reduction in new infections since 2010. TB deaths have decreased by 17%, and incidence by 35%, in the same period. Notwithstanding these achievements, the country has the second-highest HIV prevalence (24%, reaching 71% in key and vulnerable populations) and the highest TB incidence rate in the world.
Various exceptions were identified for the performance of TB screening and testing, and of contact tracing, contributing to the high percentage of missing cases in the country, and inadequate mechanisms are in place to identify and treat MDR-TB. Duplications in prevention activities and geographic locations were noted in HIV prevention programs implemented at sub-recipient level. The Government of Lesotho has failed to meet several of its commitments relating to procurement of HIV and TB medicines and investments in Human Resources for Health, contributing to widespread stock-outs and negatively impacting the implementation of preventive therapy for HIV patients.