Maseru, June 25 — The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) Project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, on Thursday hosted a Back to Care Campaign Dissemination Symposium bringing together government officials, development partners and health stakeholders to share results, lessons and recommendations on efforts to trace and re-engage people living with HIV who had interrupted treatment.
The symposium highlighted progress made through the Back to Care Campaign implemented across selected districts to strengthen treatment continuity and improve retention in care.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Health Mrs. Mamokete Nts’ekhe said the gathering reflected both the country’s progress in the fight against HIV and the need to sustain the gains achieved over the years.
She said Lesotho has made notable strides towards HIV epidemic control through strong leadership, committed health workers, resilient communities and continued support from partners.
However, she cautioned that treatment interruption remains a major challenge, stressing that sustaining progress depends not only on starting people on treatment but ensuring they remain in care.
Mrs. Nts’ekhe said the Back to Care Campaign demonstrated the importance of coordinated action between government, communities and implementing partners in identifying and re-engaging people who had been lost to follow-up.
She said the campaign had successfully brought many individuals back into treatment services, restoring health, dignity and hope to affected families.
EpiC Project Director, Dr. Tafadzwa Chakare said the campaign was implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, district health teams, health facilities and community structures to trace and support clients who had disengaged from treatment.
He said the initiative showed the value of strong data systems, community involvement and integrated service delivery in improving patient retention.
Dr. Chakare said the lessons learned would help strengthen national systems for treatment continuity and community-based care.
The National AIDS Commission (NAC) Programmes Manager, Ms. Tiisetso Piet said while Lesotho had made progress in reducing new infections, gaps remained, particularly among children, adolescents and men, calling for strengthened prevention and retention strategies.
She mentioned that it also raised concern over socio-economic factors such as mobility, household vulnerabilities and gender-based violence, which continue to drive new infections and treatment.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires, Mr. Thomas Hines commended Lesotho’s progress in the HIV response and reaffirmed continued support towards strengthening health systems and improving access to sustained treatment.
He said the Back to Care initiative is not only about numbers, but about restoring lives, strengthening families and building more resilient communities.
Mr. Hines further noted that despite significant progress, challenges such as stigma, poverty, distance to health facilities and mental health pressures continue to affect treatment adherence.
The Back to Care initiative has been introduced as part of ongoing efforts to trace and re-link people living with HIV who have defaulted on treatment, ensuring they return to care and continue receiving life-saving services.
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