Africa-Press – Lesotho. Many people living with HIV admit that one of the most difficult experiences they had gone through in life was learning about their status. Some record feeling sad, angry, scared and
disappointed. With the right treatment and support however, HIV does not have to stop one from living a long and happy life. Three women from Lehloaneng village in Mohale’s Hoek shared
their experiences of being diagnosed with HIV and living with it. ‘Marelebohile Raletele (38) was diagnosed with HIV when she was pregnant after being very ill and hospitalized.
She recalls her devastation as she was fearful of discrimination especially from her family. “When they told me I was HIV Positive, my whole world stopped, I was scared for my life,
the life of my unborn baby and my family but I went through counselling services which helped me a lot. I also benefitted from the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services, which reduce the chances of
babies being born with HIV and my baby was born healthy and HIV free,” Raletele disclosed. She added, “Self-acceptance is key, I have accepted my status, my family, friends and villagers are very supportive too.
I can stand on top of the mountain and tell people about my status, I have no shame at all. I take my medication well and get all health services without trouble as
Ntshekhe Hospital brings contraceptive services to the village every month. ” ‘Masechaba Nkebethoane (59) on the other hand discovered her status while she was taking care of her husband who was terminally ill and had
hidden that he was living with HIV. Nkebethoane had lost a lot of weight and her villager, ‘Marelebohile Raletele advised her to go check her status at the
clinic together with her husband, they went and were both diagnosed with HIV. “At first, it wasn’t easy, I used to hide in my house in fear of being discriminated against.
Right now I’m at a stage where I can even appear on television telling people about my status. I take my medication accordingly, I exercise regularly and inform other villagers about HIV,” Nkebethoane
noted. As reported by Lehloaneng Village Health Worker ‘Mapuseletso Monyobi, she works harmoniously with people living with HIV in the whole village, they are all very cooperative and supportive towards one another.
They take their medications well and are living healthy lifestyle. “The only challenge is of people who haven’t tested and are terribly sick, when I advise them to go
take tests at the clinic they utter unacceptable words to me and refuse when I accompany them as it is the norm. Another one is of the clinic that is not
easily accessible as it is far, we wish to have a clinic nearby,” ‘Mapuseletso indicated. Lehloaneng village Chief, ‘Mamonare Sephapho confirmed that villagers do not discriminate against people living with HIV instead they are
very supportive. She attributed the villagers’ good approach towards people living with HIV to her own HIV status disclosure. “We are living harmoniously in this village, no discrimination, no fear and no
stress to us living with HIV and those not living with it. We all understand that we are affected by the virus, either directly or indirectly. Condoms are
also available free of charge in the village and are placed at a general café where anyone can get them,” Chief Sephapho declared. “We are challenged by a faraway clinic as we use Our Lady of
the Rosary Clinic at Ha Monyaki, Mohale’s Hoek, about 30-40 minutes’ drive from our village so it poses a problem to those who have financial constraints.
It also is a problem to elders when they have to go for health checkups and to collect medication,” she said. Sephapho also addressed a need for employment to
curb starvation, which put their vulnerable lives at an extreme risk. “I plead with the government, individuals and other organizations to offer a helping
hand as we are starving and experiencing a huge need of food and are financially challenged. Seed donations and other continuous food production means
would be of great help. I also urge for job creation,” Chief Sephapho concluded. The National Aids Commission (NAC), Communications Officer, Mzondase Tsepane, in her report on the Overall Situation of HIV in Lesotho
Right Now, indicated that “the HIV Epidemic in Lesotho has stabilized during the last ten or more years, steadily reducing, showing commendable progress.
Prevalence is at a mean 24.3% for adults 15-49 according to LePHIA 2017 report and this is the second highest prevalence globally. New infections among all ages declined from an estimated 18 870 in 2007 to 14 706 in 2017
based on Spectrum Estimates. Women are more affected than men, as females aged 15-49 estimated at 1.95 compared to 1.32 among males and prevalence ratio of 3
females to 2 males”. Tsepane further indicated that NAC’s vision is of AIDS Free Generation by 2030. Its goals entail reduced new HIV infections by at least 75% from 14 706 in 2017 to less than 3677 by 2023,
reduced AIDS related deaths by 50% from 4908 in 2017 to less than 2454 by 2023 and mother to child transmission eliminated from 14.6% to less than 2% by 2023.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) together with the National Aids Commission (NAC), Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship Affairs facilitated a 4 days Engagement of Media Practitioners in HIV Pillars last week, which included community tour to Mohale’s Hoek urban and rural areas to document HIV stories.
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