Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) joined forces with Botho University (BU) to take youth friendly health services to their convenience. On Wednesday
the two held a health promotion campaign at BU premises in Maseru. LPPA’s Youth Officer, Lebeoane Kholokholo said the association wants to take their services
to their target clients. He said the campaign’s focus is to extend HIV services, sensitize students on teenage pregnancies and encourage youth to frequently visit health facilities for regular HIV testing.
Kholokholo further highlighted that the drive was to distribute condoms, lubricants and microgalone tablets, a new method of contraceptives. The Youth Officer mentioned
that youth will be capacitated on self-injection education. The Counselor at BU Clinic, Rethabile Motsamai said the event is in line with the recent commemoration of AIDS Day marked on December 1.
She said also, they will conduct cervical cancer and diabetes tests. Motsamai said they encourage PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to the youth, adding that their worry is that youth
do not usually use protection. BU Senior Manager for Business Development and External Relations Mankhole Masisi-Thakhisi said this campaign is aimed to bring “sense of responsibility”
to their students for them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. “The initiative is to constantly conscientise students and the population at large about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
We recognize that during this month as we go on to embrace this ‘new normal’ we should not forget that we have an ongoing issue with HIV and our partnerships with Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS
Foundation (EGPAF) and other stakeholders,” she said. Masisi-Thakhisi also appealed to the students to sensitize people at their communities about HIV prevention
and the self-testing kit. One of the students who got tested and received health information, ‘Matseko Kaibe said the initiative has been helpful. She further expressed confidence over the
“increased” participation of the male students, adding that they will know their statuses.
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