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INTRODUCTION

Lesotho has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world, with an estimated 31% of the adult population in the 15 - 49 age group infected. The Government of Lesotho (GOL) has responded with HIV/AIDS prevention programmes since the first cases were identified in the mid-1980s. In more recent times, issues of support and care for People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWAs) have also become prominent. The GOL aims for a multi-sectoral response, with each ministry contributing 2% of its budget to HIV/AIDS activities. Following endorsement in November 2000 of the National Strategic Plan, the Lesotho AIDS Programme Coordinating Authority (LAPCA) was established to coordinate all HIV/AIDS activities.

Yearly Aids Reported Cases in Lesotho

Number of Cases

DISEASE CONTROL: STD/AIDS UNIT : Ministry of Health; Lesotho (As of December 1999)

NEW AIDS CASES IN LESOTHO (1999)

BY AGE/SEX

NUMBER OF CASES

0-4 5-14 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 >60 unknown

Males	79	0	12	261	472	351	129	24	285
Females	103	0	52	587	512	232	71	14	334

AGE GROUP

DISEASE CONTROL: STD/AIDS UNIT : Ministry of Health; LESOTHO.

OCCUPATION OF REPORTED AIDS CASES AS OF DECEMBER 1999

N = 2440

DISEASE CONTROL: STD/AIDS UNIT : Ministry of Health: LESOTHO.

Governing structures were established to manage the national response. These include National AIDS Committee (NAC), National AIDS Task Force (NATF), National Multi sectoral Taskforce and District AIDS Task Forces (DATFs). The coordinated multi sectoral response has been ensured through LAPCA, which was established purposely to coordinate and harmonize HIV/AIDS activities, advice on the resource allocation, facilitate inter-sectoral and inter actor collaboration, consolidate sectoral plans, develop and disseminate policy guidelines and monitor and evaluate the overall implementation of the programs.

The leadership at local level through the District Secretaries (DS) in assured the appropriate clout. Decentralised District AIDS Task Force ensures that HIV/AIDS programs are placed on local agenda and the needs of the poor are addressed.

The government has employed the multi-sectoral approach that has seen the national response being bolstered by the involvement of Religious bodies, Associations of People Living with AIDS, Associations of employers, Non Governmental Organizations (NGO), private sector, civil society, development partners and representatives from several government ministries. Their involvement in high level political coordination structures shows how committed the government is in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The role of all these groups is important in that they are able to advocate and participate in policy and program design and implementation, as well as in the provision of services, especially at the community level where the majority and large percentage of the poor reside.

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

LAPCA has implemented the following activities:

Facilitated the deployment of District AIDS Coordinators (DACs)
Facilitated the procurement of vehicles and furniture for all districts
Facilitated capacity building Government ministries and District AIDS Task Forces
Procured home based care kits for infected and affected
Developed a data bank of existing programs for HIV/AIDS
Facilitated the conduction of Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviour and Practices (KABP) study
Facilitated the support of orphans
Developed proposals for resource mobilization
Facilitated the Network of People Living With Aids

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Positions of the District AIDS Coordinators were advertised and placements were made. The role of the DACs will be to monitor and ensure that HIV/AIDS activities are being undertaken by the District AIDS Task Forces and all stakeholders at the district level. Ten vehicles were purchased and distributed to each district after the appointment of the DACs.

The DATFs have been instituted for more than two years to date. Their main function as spelled out in the National Strategic Plan is to coordinate and ensure that activities at district level are not duplicated by various stakeholders, but complement each other. A needs assessment was undertaken whereby the District Secretaries and some members of DATFs were interviewed. This was followed by the regional workshops aimed at re-defining the functions of the DATFs.

Workshops were held for the Ministries of Law, Cabinet, Foreign Affairs, Public Service and Education to support and guide them in the preparation of their workplans and HIV/AIDS Strategic Plans.

Home based care kits were procured and are ready to be distributed to the offices of the DS and Health facilities, which will then be provided to all PLWAs at the district level.

A workshop was held for PLWAs to promote cohesion and resolve areas of conflicts among the PLWAs as well as to reach a decision on the draft constitution and structures for the PLWAs Network.

An inventory of all programs implementing social care and other related activities was undertaken. A list of all programs and their terms of reference is now available.

A draft document study on Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviour and Practices of people in Lesotho about HIV/AIDS, which among others identified the myths and misconceptions and made an assessment of sexual behaviour and practices among the sexually active groups is available.

Proposals have been developed and submitted to Global Fund Secretariat and SADC requesting funding for HIV/AIDS activities and TB component. Two proposals were developed, one was submitted in February and another proposal was submitted in November. The first proposal was not successful, a positive response was received on the second proposal, but the agreement has not yet been signed. A positive response to fund capacity building for LAPCA and ministerial departments was received from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). HIV/AIDS component has been incorporated into Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) as a way of soliciting funding for the HIV/AIDS activities.

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

The following activities have been implemented by Ministry of Agriculture:

Training of support groups on home based care and counseling
Procurement of protective materials and food supplements e.g. multi vitamins.
Dissemination of Information Education and Communication (IEC) messages
Training of infected and affected people in food security
Promotion of crop sharing
Supply of benefits packages for orphans

ACHIEVEMENTS:

The Ministry’s efforts and interventions were focused on the hard to reach mountain areas as most of them encounter some difficulties in the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and food security. A project was formulated to follow participatory rural approach, which was aimed at developing innovative strategies to empower communities. The strategy was to use social mobilization by utilizing local skills. The multi disciplinary network was established at ten hard to reach mountainous areas including Maletsunyane corridor through the Agricultural HIV/AIDS unit, Lesotho Flying Doctor Services, Mission Aviation Fellowship and Volunteers.

Training of three hundred and forty nine (349) village facilitators and coordinators for community home based care and food security was conducted. This included the concepts of complementary and alternative medicine (use of traditional herbs). Guidelines and a handbook were developed to ensure the quality of Community Home Based Care (CHBC) until the practice becomes effective.

Following the mobilization and sensitization of field extension staff in all ten districts, Information, Education and Communication materials are now available at all agriculture resource centers. Protective materials such as gloves and condoms are now easily accessible to staff members and farmers.

Programme to revive home gardens and permaculture practices is part of the curriculum in Agriculture training of trainers workshops. Horticultural and agronomy seeds were distributed to needy families. Wheat was planted in 14 acres last winter for five child headed families in Berea district. Fifty-four persons living with HIV/AIDS were provided with green vegetable seeds to enhance their daily balanced diet.

One group of PLWAs has been trained in income generating skill of manufacturing hand and body cream using local indigenous aloe. The cream is now available and on sale and is on high demand as it is believed to be good for dermatitis. Others have also been trained in the production, preparation and storage of herbs.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

The Ministry of Education has found it imperative to engage in HIV/AIDS activities as a way of counteracting the impact of the disease in the spectrum of education. Its activities included:

Training Senior officers of the ministry on HIV/AIDS
Holding workshops for teachers to create awareness on HIV/AIDS
Creating awareness to the public through IEC and Media
Conducting a study to assess the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS intervention in the Education system

ACHIEVEMENTS:

In February 2002, the Central Inspectorate held a workshop for Senior Officers of the Ministry in collaboration with LAPCA. All districts were represented by the Senior Education Officers in this workshop. The aim of the workshop was to raise awareness about the pandemic within the sector and to sensitize all involved parties to take action to fight the pandemic.

As a follow up to the workshop, the advisory services together with the Senior Education Officers held workshops in the districts of Leribe, Mohale’s Hoek and Maseru. Thirty schools were invited in the first two districts while fifty schools were invited in Maseru. One teacher from each school was involved in this workshop.

Lesotho Distance Teaching Center (LDTC) has ensured a wide dissemination of information to their clients by engaging in the following activities:

· Articles on HIV/AIDS have been written in a newspaper supplement, “Moithuti”. This paper is distributed to local schools.

· A weekly Radio Program “Thuto ke Leseli” has been instituted in Radio Lesotho.

· A booklet and teachers manual on HIV/AIDS (in Sesotho) to be publicized soon.

· Incorporation of HIV/AIDS (POP/FLE) issues into LDTC Prospectus.

The National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC) achieved the following:

· Integration of HIV/AIDS issues in the newly revised curricula at both primary and secondary school levels in subjects such as Health and Physical Education, Science, Agriculture, Home Economics, and Geography.

· The support materials that are being developed and introduced carry a message on HIV/AIDS. A book called “Bosolla Tlhapi” (written in Sesotho) that focuses on HIV/AIDS has been published. The book is read at secondary level, there is also a supplementary book that is read in primary schools that also raises awareness of HIV/AIDS.

· The first pages of all Secondary level syllabuses carry a message on HIV/AIDS, in order to raise awareness among teachers who are expected to transmit the message to the learners.

· A study is currently being conducted in conjunction with Lesotho Association of Teachers (LAT) and Scripture Union to assess the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS intervention in the Education system in Lesotho.

· Posters and messages on HIV/AIDS prevention and control to be provided to all schools in Lesotho.

The Ministry has also formed a task force that has drafted an HIV/AIDS Policy for the Ministry, and is facilitating the establishment of an HIV/AIDS unit. The task force has also written modules, which will be used in schools on HIV/AIDS. A workshop involving the different stakeholders was held to finalize the modules.

THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY

The office of the First Lady is responsible for the promotion of community development, gender equity, social well – being of Basotho children and women. Special emphases has been placed on looking after the sick, and the disadvantaged members of the community.

During the year 2002, the office of the First Lady undertook the following activities:

· Assisted Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) through the provision of school fees for primary school students

· Solicited donor support for resources and capacity building

· Mobilized communities to form support groups to look after their sick, aged and OVC in their respective communities.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

The office of First Lady has managed to sponsor 26 orphans from 6 districts. These children had dropped out of school following the deaths of their parents.

The office has established more than 50 community support groups. It managed to supply basic kits to some of the support groups. The basic contents of which are; surgical gloves, disinfectants, cotton wool and multivitamins.

It works closely with the Ministry of Agriculture in the HIV/AIDS program on issues pertinent to Agricultural products and nutritional standards.

The office managed to hold a series of workshops sponsored by UNDP on Civic Education and Leadership Skills whereby issues such as the Fight Against HIV/AIDS; A Development Imperative, Women Empowerment and Participation in Development and Plight of Destitute and Orphaned Children were widely discussed.

The office has established a Trust Fund called “Lerato Charity Trust Fund” whose purpose is to open doors to the donor agencies to support the initiative, rather than go through the Government structures.

MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

The following activities were undertaken by the Ministry of Development Planning in the fight against HIV/AIDS:

Procurement of condoms
IEC campaigns focusing on behaviour modeling
Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS into the Revised National Population Policy

ACHIEVEMENTS:

There has been continuous procurement of male condoms for the ministry’s staff.

The messages for 2002 World Population Day celebrations focused more on HIV/AIDS and poverty issues. The day was celebrated in Quthing and Leribe districts. The theme was; Poverty, Population and Development. Leribe district also celebrated the day and their theme was “Basotho be wise; plan your families for a better living”. In both celebrations working committees worked closely with the District Aids Task Forces (DATFs).

The revised draft National Population Policy was completed in December 2002. The draft policy document on HIV/AIDS predominantly features clear strategies of how it intends to contribute in fighting the disease.

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

The activities of the Ministry of finance include:

· Development of HIV/AIDS strategic plan

· Procurement of condoms for finance staff and customers at Border posts and Sub Accountancies.

· Holding workshops and meetings to promote awareness

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Procurement and distribution of condoms, condom dispensers and posters to all Border Posts and Sub-Accountancies was completed. The condoms are being refilled every quarter, whereas the Finance headquarters refill theirs monthly.

HIV/AIDS pamphlets were procured and distributed to all finance offices at central and the district level.

People living openly with HIV/AIDS were invited to sensitize the management about HIV/AIDS and this is an ongoing initiative. Workshops were held for other members of staff for awareness. These workshops started from 29^th April 2002 and ended on the 2^nd September 2002. One was held for central staff while two were held for the northern and southern regions.

Finance Awareness Group was established to assist the infected and affected staff during time of illness, bereavement and to ensure that condoms are always available.

Fund raising for funerals, clothing for orphans and contribution to families in need of basic living necessities was attained.

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND REHABILITATION, AND HOME AFFAIRS

The two ministries did not implement any HIV/AIDS activities during the current financial year. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs continued to sensitize its staff on the dangers of the pandemic. Some videos have been shown for educational purposes to the staff, and the Ministry committee held some weekly training on counseling those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

The Ministry of Justice has since November 2002 put in place a focal person who will be responsible on a full time basis for HIV/AIDS activities.

MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Ministry of Local Government has since established an HIV/AIDS unit with two persons to concentrate on HIV/AIDS activities. The activities set for the current financial year include:

· Training of trainers workshop on basic facts on HIV/AIDS

· Training on Home based care for support groups

· Commemorating World AIDS Day

· Procurement of condoms for staff

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Training of trainers on basic facts on HIV/AIDS workshop was held for 35 persons drawn from Maseru AIDS task force committee, Land Survey and Physical Planning (LSPP) staff and 195 Matsieng ward and Maama ward chiefs. Training on Home Based Care for support groups from Qoaling, and Lithoteng villages was also conducted. About 95 people participated in this training. Transitional local authorities were also trained on basic facts about HIV/AIDS in December 2002, where 204 councilors participated. The purpose of these training was to provide skills to the participants so that they can be able to assist the infected and affected in their communities, and the leaders to be able to sensitize the people. The celebrations of the 2002 World AIDS Day were held in Semonkong.

LSPP installed condom containers in the staff restrooms. Condoms were also purchased and distributed to other departments including the district offices.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has coordinated and facilitated the implementation of the following HIV/AIDS activities:

· Development of guidelines, manuals, standards and protocols for care and support programs.

· Trainings of trainers on home based care

· Established continuum of care in various Health Services Areas (HSAs)

· Identified orphans and their prospective parents

· Established Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) services.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Home Based Care manuals, clinical guidelines and counseling were developed and now to be used for training of the home based caregivers.

The training of trainers workshops were carried out in three Regions, northern, central and the southern region. The participants were drawn from Government ministries as well as NGOs that are involved in HIV/AIDS activities. These were namely; public health nurses, social workers and AIDS task force members in the districts.

An exercise of identifying orphans and their prospective foster parents was undertaken by social workers in all districts. Income generating projects started in December 2002. One hundred and thirty families in Maseru district will be allocated M3, 800 ($400.00) per family for initiation of income generating projects.

The department of social welfare removed thirteen children from Queen Elizabeth II Hospital to Beautiful Gate Place of Safety. These children were infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. At the same time six children from Beautiful Gate were placed with families on adoption.

Two coffins were purchased for two deceased babies at the Beautiful Gate Place of Safety. Social Welfare is now working closely with support groups who are assisting in identifying patients to be provided with medical exemption letters in times of illness. The support groups from Ha Tšosane - Phopholetsa Bophelo support group and Motse-Mocha Support group were provided with fourteen coffins for their deceased.

Butha-Buthe, Maseru and all Christian Health Association of Lesotho (CHAL), Health Services Areas have established continuum of care to assist people living with HIV/AIDS. However training of volunteers is ongoing.

The Ministry under family health has started issuing Neverapine treatment for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Twenty-two Nurse Assistants were trained to start PMTCT at eight hospitals (four from Government and four from CHAL). The training covered patient counseling.

National Health Training College (NHTC) has started training on HIV/AIDS Education for nurses. The training provides the nurses with the necessary skills to act as HIV/AIDS Information Officers in order to educate people on HIV/AIDS issues.

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SERVICE

The Ministry of Public Service does not have an HIV/AIDS Unit or focal person to concentrate specifically on implementation of HIV/AIDS activities. HIV/AIDS activities fall under the Human Resource department. The activities set by the department for this current year read as follows:

· Development of Public Service HIV/AIDS Policy

· Dissemination of Policy to all sectors for sensitization on HIV/AIDS.

· Procurement of condoms and femadoms for staff and their clients.

· Procurement of protective materials.

· Fund raising to assist the sickly staff for their medical services.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Draft HIV/AIDS Policy has been approved and now ready for dissemination to other sectors.

Fifteen thousand male condoms and five thousand femadoms were purchased and dispersed in the Public Service restrooms for staff. Gloves and nose masks were also bought for staff.

Workshop for Management on basic facts on HIV/AIDS was held in collaboration with LAPCA. A follow-up meeting with other departments was conducted for the purpose of creating awareness and sensitization.

Five first aid kits were procured and placed in the Public Service Fleet and offices for emergency.

Monthly meetings for staff awareness and sensitization started in August 2002. The meetings are still on going.

CHRISTIAN HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF LESOTHO (CHAL)

As one of the partners in providing health and spiritual services to the Basotho nation, CHAL has implemented the following HIV/AIDS activities:

· Development of Community Home Based Care Manual (CHBC)

· Training on CHBC

· Re-training of Counselors

· Conducted 103 Health education seminars

· Disseminated KABP study report

· Formation of support groups

· Trained Income Generating Activities (IGA) Committees

· Provided orphans with clothing and food packages

· Solicited funding for school fees

· Trained orphans on life skills

· Engaged in share cropping

· Established networks

ACHIEVEMENTS:

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the CHBC manual was completed and disseminated to all CHAL institutions. Twenty-nine teachers, twenty seven TNAs, twelve Ward attendants, thirty out workers and thirty members of DATF’s were trained on the use of the Manual in order to support the support groups at the communities.

One hundred and eighty seven members of Income Generating Activities were trained in record and book keeping in order to manage their projects. Twenty-five villages are engaged in candle – making for fundraising, while other five villages are engaged in agricultural projects.

One hundred and fifty six orphans have been provided with food packages and clothing. These were provided by churches and goodwill traders. Seven orphans received sponsorship from the churches.

Institutions such as Maluti has been involved in crop sharing with the communities. The following crops were planted; Wheat - 23.5 acres; Potatoes - 22.1 acres; Maize - 155 acres, Sorghum - 6 acres and Beans - 13.2 acres. It is expected that community will assist at weeding time.

Networking with World Food Programme (WFP) and Catholic Relieve Services (CRS) has been established. The World Food Programme is to provide interim food packages and CRS is expected to assist with the expansion of household food security to beyond 10 villages.

CARE LESOTHO

CARE Lesotho works worldwide with families and communities, governments, civil society organizations and the private sector to promote education, economic development, agricultural programs and health care. The organization is committed to helping people secure the ability to earn a living, to take care of their families, to live free from discrimination, and to realize their full potential socially, culturally, and economically. CARE has operated in Lesotho since 1968.

The main objectives of CARE are:

· To reduce vulnerability of households to HIV/AIDS by increasing the safety of sex among youth and other priority groups;

· To improve Community Based Organizations (CBOs) capacity and strengthen them for comprehensive care in HIV/AIDS;

· To improve the ability of service providers to identify, understand and respond to the reproductive health needs of priority groups;

· To pilot home based care activities in project areas;

· To establish resource centers in two of the operating sites.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

CARE International’s has contributed to the struggle against HIV/AIDS in Lesotho through a programme called Sexual Health and Rights Promotion (SHARP). Through SHARP, CARE supports the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention and care programmes in Lesotho and the Free State Province in the Republic of South Africa. The programme is implemented in three border towns of Lesotho namely, Maseru, Mafeteng and Maputsoe, with counterpart activities in the neighboring towns of Ficksburg and Ladybrand in South Africa.

In terms of its mission, SHARP aims to reduce the vulnerability of youth (11-14 years old and 15-25 years old) and other priority target groups such as Commercial sex workers; Migrant labourers and their partners, Low income women workers and Long distance drivers to HIV/AIDS by promoting safer sexual practices free of disease, coercion or violence, through training, promotion and advocacy for gender and human rights.

THE PRIVATE SECTOR

ASSOCIATION OF LESOTHO EMPLOYERS (ALE)

Employers from various industrial sub-sectors are affiliated to and participate in ALE meetings. The association is contracted as the implementing agency responsible for managing and coordinating the Department For International Development (DFID) sponsored private sector initiative on HIV/AIDS in the country. It is the most favorably placed and financially viable private sector entity with access to the big and small business enterprises in Lesotho. ALE membership represents about 70% of big businesses in the formal sector of the national economy; including security, garment manufacturers, wholesalers, construction, banking, hotels, utilities, etc.

ALE is primarily responsible for:

· The marketing and promotion of the programme with a view to expand the moral, affiliation and financial support base of the initiative

· The efficient management and effective coordination of the programme

· Reporting on organizational development and program performance to structures such as LAPCA, the Consultative forum and other bodies when warranted.

The main objectives of ALE are:

- To enhance companies ability to implement HIV/AIDS services such as:

- Prevention awareness and information; peer education and counseling; promotion of health lifestyles and nutrition; condom distribution; treatment care and support.

- To provide for a continuum of care between factory and community level through the provision of HIV/AIDS home based care and support services.

- To facilitate research and advocacy, which will form HIV/AIDS prevention and home based care interventions at the workplace and communities.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

The Association of Lesotho Employers operates as the umbrella body representing the interest and affairs of the corporate sector in Lesotho. ALE has about twenty key members who have basic workplace programmes on HIV/AIDS. The core firms are Security Unlimited, TEBA, Lesotho Brewing Company, Lesotho Flour Mills, Standard Bank Group, Nedbank Lesotho, Telecom Lesotho, C&Y Garment manufacturers and Lesotho Sun Hotels (Private Sector Response to HIV/AIDS in Lesotho, 2002).

ALE has managed to mobilize 15 Private Sector Organizations (PSO) to facilitate Workplace Policy and Programme Development as preliminary target groups. These PSOs have been identified to access the toolkit of the resource center. The Resource Center’s main aim is to act as a referral source of clients requiring services that cannot be provided there such as home based care, HIV/AIDS Medical Care and Management and community based resources.

POSITIVE ACTION

Positive action is one of the associations of PLWAs. It is involved in a wide range of activities, including nutritional support, medical assistance, establishment of self - help groups, and operates a twenty – four hour help line for PLWAs. It is also involved in creating awareness by awarding prizes to those who read HIV/AIDS information material.

THE LESOTHO PLANNED PARENTHOOD ASSOCIATION (LPPA)

The Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) was established in 1967 and has been involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS since 1993. It has programmes in Youth Peer Education, Health Education, and promotion of community-based Orphan Care and promotion of Home-based Care, Support and Counseling of orphans and people living with HIV/AIDS. LRCS is doing all in its power to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and reduce suffering of those infected and affected. In attaining this objective LPPA utilized its own staff with the intention of providing a non-discriminatory environment through education. (Southern Africa HIV/AIDS Information Dissemination Service SAFAIDS, 2002)

Objectives of LRCS Policy on HIV/AIDS are as follows:

· To ensure that HIV/AIDS is given high priority within LRCS, and that a non-discriminative, enabling, safe and caring environment is provided for all its staff and active members irrespective of their status.

· To define the rights and responsibilities of LRCS, its staff and members regarding HIV/AIDS at the workplace, and to establish their scope and limitations (LRCS Policy on HIV/AIDS 2002).

CONSTRAINTS:

Constraints have been grouped together as they are similar from one ministry to another:

- Unclearly defined tasks of AIDS Focal points/HIV/AIDS units in each ministry thus impeding the effectiveness of coordination with LAPCA, the districts and other sectors.

- Limited human resource to implement the set targets of sectors. Sometimes very limited support from management in providing logistics for the implementation of activities hinders progress.

- Limited capacity of focal points on the issues of HIV/AIDS resulted in most case activities not being undertaken.

- Sustainability and follow-up of activities is affected by the high turn over of staff due to departmental transfers and study leaves.

Information provided by: Lesotho Aids Programme Coordinating Authority (LAPCA)