Maseru, Nov. 03 — Despite the remarkable progress that Lesotho has made in the fight against HIV, it continues to face critical challenges in its Tuberculosis (TB) response.
The country is reported to be remaining as one of the 30 highest TB and TB/HIV burden countries globally as the 2022 WHO Global TB Report highlights that Lesotho faces an estimated annual TB incidence of 614 cases per 100,000 populations, with an HIV/TB co-infection rate of 55 percent among all notified TB cases.
In response to these challenges, Lesotho has launched a new multisectoral HIV Strategy and a Joint TB/HIV Health Sector Strategic Plan for 2023–2028 as a strategy that aims to transform the HIV response into a more sustainable model that addresses existing inequalities and ensures comprehensive support for those living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV, TB, and STIs.
The plans also emphasize strengthening systems for health and social protection to improve access to essential services and foster resilience.
