health

Dec. 22, 2020

LINEO MABEKEBEKE

2 min read

NAC launches new plan to protect youth against HIV/AIDS

NAC launches new plan to protect youth against HIV/AIDS

Metro Audio Articles

Catch our weekly audio news daily only on Metro Radio Podcast News.

listen now

THE government through the National AIDS Commission (NAC) with support from the development partners and the stakeholders in various sectors has made good progress in the management of HIV and AIDS response.

The District Fast Track PLAN 2020/21-2022/23 has been developed to decentralise and achieve the 40% community-led HIV and AIDS response based on the unique district profiles to address district specific HIV and AIDS programmes.

The development of strategic documents such as the HIV and AIDS policy 2019 and the National HIV and AIDS strategic plan (NSP) 2018/19-2022/23 was to lay a foundation for a national response with the aim to end AIDS by 2030.

Speaking in Mokhotlong at the launch of the District Fast Track Plan last weekend, the Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) chief executive officer ’Mamojela Koneshe said they have discovered that poverty is one of the main factors that render young girls vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, sexual and gender-based violence, followed by scarce Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Information and Services.

She said they have further found out that these challenges especially hit hard on girls from poor rural backgrounds.

Ms Koneshe said LPPA is committed to providing youth friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Information and Services in Lesotho.

The association, she also noted is committed to responding accordingly, to advocate, support and promote government policies and strategies that are meant to save the lives of young people.

“Our campaign “Because We Can!” is meant to contribute to positive changes in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) policies and laws and defend progressive policies and laws from attacks at the AU, SADC and national levels, ensuring a more effective domestication and monitoring of SRHR and CSE policies and commitments,” she added.

Enjoy our daily newsletter from today

Access exclusive newsletters, along with previews of new media releases.

Keratile Thabana from the NAC was hopeful that all the stakeholders including civil society organisations, the implementing partners, donors and the government line ministries shall bring into line their respective plans and funding in line with the set national and district priorities and strategies in all the HIV and AIDS interventions to be pursued at the district and community levels within the stated period.  

The NSP also strives for decentralised HIV and AIDS response that is community driven at least by 40%. Pursuant to this task, the HIV and AIDS National Operation Plan (NOP) 2020/21-2022/23 was developed to operationalise the NSP.

 

 

 

Share the story

METRO WEATHER FORECAST