MASERU - The Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho, Monyane Moleleki, on May 8 unveiled a new tool to better manage HIV and health programming in Lesotho – one that’s getting a little star-power energy from activist Naomi Campbell.
health
May 11, 2018
2 min read
Naomi Campbell helps launch Lesotho HIV initiative
The Lesotho HIV and health “situation room” platform shows real-time service delivery data to better visualise and understand Lesotho’s HIV epidemic. “In a war situation room, that is where you plan the very survival of the people,” Moleleki said. “So, the situation room that we are talking about that is symbolised by this data collection, management and results-oriented tool is very apt for us because it means the very survival of the nation of Lesotho.”
The latest data show that Lesotho has nearly 200,000 people on HIV treatment, according to UNAIDS. Young people remain at greater risk across Africa, and that’s especially true in Lesotho where HIV in girls and women between the ages of 15 and 24 years accounts for about 25% of new infections each year. “These are the kind of innovations that will bring services to those who need them most and ensure that no one is left behind by the AIDS response,” said Michel Sidibé, the UNAIDS Executive Director.
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Michel Sidibé said: “The launch of the Lesotho HIV and health situation room gives us access to data to shape impactful and efficient health programmes. These are the kind of innovations that will bring services to those who need them most and ensure that no one is left behind by the AIDS response.”
Naomi Campbell, a fashion model, actress and activist, attended the launch with Mr Sidibé as part of a two-day fact-finding trip in Lesotho. During the trip, Ms. Campbell also visited the Queen II Hospital in Maseru, and met young women living with HIV and others affected by the HIV epidemic. “I commend the government of Lesotho and its partners for the progress made in the AIDS response. But the work is far from done,” Campbell said.
“The reality is that we are not reaching adolescent girls and young women. I leave Lesotho today empowered, inspired, encouraged and determined to do all I can to highlight this critical issue.” In order to improve access to health services by the people who need them most, the situation room aims to speed up and streamline communications between policy-makers and implementers to help Lesotho stay on track to reach its national HIV and health targets.
UNAIDS
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