Global Primary Care

Lesotho is a stable, multiparty, democracy, completely surrounded by South Africa with a population of about 2 million. Lesotho has the third highest prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the world. According to recent estimates, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Lesotho is about 27%. The majority of these HIV-infected individuals are women. It has been estimated by the United Nations that this rate will rise to 36% within the next 15 years. This estimated HIV/AIDS burden will have devastating effects on life expectancy.

According to the UNAIDS 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, average life expectancy in Lesotho is estimated at 39 years for men and 44 years for women. This same average life expectancy in Lesotho would be an estimated 70 years if the country were not burdened by HIV/AIDS. This disparity clearly illuminates the alarming scope of the epidemic. This has profound implications for every sector. Deaths of key and critically needed workers will increase and the ability of Government and the private sector to respond will be more difficult as fewer people are asked to do more.

HIV/AIDS was first reported in Lesotho in 1986. In 1999, the Lesotho Government finalized its Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS, which identified the need in Lesotho for HIV/AIDS education, prevention, counseling, and treatment. In November of 2004 the Government began its national ARV rollout and has since placed about 12,000 infected individuals on treatment. The Government has also organized the proactive campaign, “Know Your Status,” which has a goal of offering voluntary and confidential HIV testing to all Basotho.