The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Ms. Moliehi Ntene, has assured the public that the chances of Lesotho running out of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) treatment supplies are slim. Her statement comes amid concerns raised by the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding potential shortages in eight countries, including Lesotho.
Last week, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that Lesotho is among the nations that could face disruptions in the supply of these lifesaving medicines. The warning follows the decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to halt U.S. foreign aid, which has been a crucial source of funding for HIV and TB programs in many developing countries.
The affected countries, apart from Lesotho, include Haiti, Kenya, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Ukraine. WHO has expressed concerns that these nations might experience shortages in the coming months if alternative funding and supply chain solutions are not implemented promptly.
Despite these concerns, Ms. Ntene reassured citizens that the Ministry of Health has put measures in place to ensure continued access to treatment. She emphasized that the government, in collaboration with international partners and health organizations, is working to secure sufficient stocks of HIV and TB medications to prevent any interruption in treatment for those in need.
The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation closely and remains committed to maintaining the availability of essential medicines for people living with HIV and TB in Lesotho. Ms. Ntene urged the public to remain calm and assured that efforts are underway to safeguard public health despite global funding uncertainties.
