Quthing, March. 08 — Stakeholders in HIV/AIDS issues from the Southern Region gathered at Kubung Hotel Upper Moyeni to share views at a two-day consultative meeting on development of 2023/28 National HIV and AIDS Strategic plan that ended on Tuesday.
Officially closing the event District Administration Manager Assistant, Mr. Moses Mokati commended participants for their participation in development of a National Strategic Plan expected to close the gaps and pave a smooth way in joint efforts in a fight against HIV and AIDS.
He encouraged attendants at the meeting to keep up good team spirit they demonstrated during group work in the meeting as people with a common goal easily attain it through joined efforts.
The National Aids Commission (NAC) Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr. Hlompho Motsoasele said the current 2018/23 HIV and AIDS National Strategic Plan mostly focuses on treatment and provision of clinical services.
He noted that the new National Strategic Plan is expected to bring all stakeholders on board and exercise their efforts in strategies implemented to address different challenges in a fight against the pandemic and efforts to promote preventive measures of the spread of HIV and Aids.
The Manager Hospital Nursing Services from Nt’sekhe Hospital in Mohale’s Hoek district Ms. Relebohile Mashee expressed need for proper coordination of HIV and AIDS service providers from central to local level for the district to easily take over when the health projects being carried out by development partners phase out.
The Chief of Mokanametsong who is also a member of District Risk Communication and Community Engagement team of the Department of Health Chief Toka Letsie, expressed need for participants to start implementation of some activities that could address some challenges such as engagement of different community groups in preventive measures and adherence to antiretroviral treatment.
Participants at the meeting were from stakeholders in HIV and AIDS issues from Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek and Quthing. Similar meeting has been held for Mokhotlong, Leribe and Butha-Buthe and it will continue for Thaba Tseka, Qacha’s Nek, Berea and Maseru districts next week.
The National HIV and AIDS strategic plan is intended to accelerate efforts to end the pandemic.
