Lesotho

Lesotho, with a population of 1.8 million, has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world at 23.2 percent. An estimated 270,000 people are infected with HIV.

Beginning in 2006, ICAP began supporting prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services and comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs in Lesotho for HIV-infected pregnant women, their partners, and families. In Lesotho, ICAP supports activities to prevent pediatric HIV infections and reduce HIV/AIDS-related morbidity and mortality among children, women, and their family members. ICAP also provides technical and clinical assistance to Ministry of Health facilities in the development of family-focused, multidisciplinary HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment programs. ICAP-supported activities include:

  • Enhanced PMTCT services for HIV-infected pregnant women, including antiretroviral therapy (ART);
  • HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment, including ART, for partners and family members of HIV-infected pregnant women;
  • Pediatric HIV/AIDS care and treatment, including early infant diagnosis;
  • Linkages to tuberculosis control programs for TB/HIV co-infected patients;
  • Continuous clinical training in family-focused HIV care and treatment, MTCT-Plus, ART, and monitoring and evaluation;
  • Patient-tracking systems;
  • Psychosocial support for HIV-infected women and their family members;
  • Strengthening laboratory and pharmacy services;
  • Community linkages for PMTCT and HIV care and treatments programs;
  • Development of managerial and technical capacities to administer national HIV care and treatment programs.