Africa-Press – Lesotho. The National Aids Commission (NAC), Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) developed a priority charter aimed at improving
the response of Human Immune Viral (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB) towards children and adolescents. To officiate the virtual meeting and also speaking on behalf of NAC Acting Chief Executive Officer, NAC
Human Resource Officer Mosongoa Motseko said it is now the time to advocate for HIV and AIDS as well as TB in the country more collaboratively, thus the
CSO’s Priority Charter, that is been validated have fostered the strategic partnerships to advocate fornational issues related to HIV and AIDS as well as TB with one voice.
“It is therefore envisaged that through our concerted efforts, we will reach the set National
and Global targets, hence attain the epidemic control by the year 2030,” she enlightened. Motseko extended that despite Lesotho’s achievement of the 90-90-90 targets, the country still lags behind in
meeting TB and HIV targets amongst children and adolescents and it is estimated that about 13 000 children aged 0 to 14 years and 306 000 adults above 15 years
of age are currently living with HIV in Lesotho. She added that it is highly crucial to note that TB incidences are as high as 611 per 100 000 populations,
whilst HIV prevalence is also as high as 25.6% according to Lesotho Population-based HV Impact Assessment (LePHIA) 2017. She explained that the Co-infection of TB and HIV continues to pose challenges of adherence
to both anti-tubercular medication and antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART coverage amongst adolescents and young people remains low, whilst viral load suppression amongst children is sub-standard.
“The risk of progression to TB disease is higher if infection occurs before adolescence and in those who are immune-compromised.
Extra pulmonary TB is more prevalent in children, young adults, and in cases of HIV-associated TB. Therefore, it remains imperative to accord children and adolescents special consideration owing to their cultural,
social, and economic vulnerability,” Motseko said. “As the Commission, we are delighted that this Charter is synchronised to the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan.
Among others, it shall help Lesotho to have more targeted interventions through the provision of TB/HIV and AIDS related interventions to Children and Adolescents, hence there will be efficiency and
effectiveness in service delivery to our target populations, thereby closing the gaps discussed above,” noted Motseko. She acknowledged the Ministry of
Health (MoH), EGPAF through the support of PEPFAR,for making it possible to engage the consultant (Dr. Nyangu) to lead the task. MoH Disease Control Director Dr.
Llang Maama indicated that to combat the disease in children, World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners have come up with strategies to meet the goal of zero TB deaths
among children worldwide. She said achieving this goal requires sustained advocacy, greater commitment, mobilization of increased resources and a joint
effort by all stakeholders involved in providing health care for children and in TB control. Dr. Maama acknowledged NAC for coordination of CSOs to advocate for TB and HIV for children and adolescents on
behalf of MoH. “I appeal to CSOs to sustain this milestone advocacy journey for our future generation to ensure no child is missed with treatment, care and
support. Most of CSOs are working in the communities where these children are found. Please help the clinicians to ensure that all missed children and
adolescents who are in the communities are linked to facilities for treatment, care and support. The Goal of Ending AIDS in 2030 and the goal of Ending TB can never be a reality if we leave some members of the population behind,” Maama pleaded.
