A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) working to combat HIV and AIDS has called on the government to uphold the right to health and ensure uninterrupted access to high-quality HIV, AIDS, and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services.
The groups have warned that the 90-day suspension of US aid poses a severe threat to Lesotho’s health sector and endangers the lives of thousands of vulnerable individuals.
Without swift government intervention to address the funding gap left by the freeze, the country could face a healthcare crisis more devastating than COVID-19, they said.
In Lesotho, the aid halt has led to the abrupt cancellation and suspension of financial support for critical, lifesaving HIV and TB programmes. This disruption risks undoing progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 global targets, where Lesotho had previously achieved 90-97-92.
Since 2016, the US government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has contributed over $860 million towards HIV epidemic control in Lesotho. Additionally, $362 million was provided through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact 1, with approximately $300 million allocated for MCC Compact 2.
The CSOs insist that the government must urgently address the funding shortfall, asserting that the right to health cannot be put on hold, even during fiscal uncertainty.
They are urging authorities to review and expand social contracting arrangements to strengthen civil society’s role in delivering essential HIV and TB services at the community level, thereby increasing domestic financing for these programmes.
The organisations have also called for diplomatic engagement with the US government to explore solutions that would sustain the progress made in HIV and TB programmes and restore critical community-based health services.
Lesotho Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (LENEPWA) director, Boshepha Ranthithi, speaking on behalf of the CSOs during a meeting this week, highlighted the severe impact of the funding pause on community-led HIV and TB service delivery.
“The suspension has weakened CSOs’ ability to provide crucial health interventions and outreach services. Without funding, their capacity to support affected communities is significantly compromised,” he stated.
Ranthithi warned that this disruption would place an even greater burden on Lesotho’s already strained public health system.
He noted that while the US government has issued a waiver allowing continued critical HIV and TB care, treatment, and limited biomedical prevention, the suspension of community-based prevention programmes and HIV testing services for key populations, adolescent girls, and young women increases their vulnerability to HIV infection.
He further emphasized that CSOs play a crucial role in addressing societal and structural barriers in the HIV response, including supporting victims of sexual and gender-based violence, and combating discrimination against marginalised communities.
“As CSOs, we reaffirm our commitment to Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan 2, the Health Sector Strategic Plan, and the national HIV and TB strategic framework. We remain dedicated to finalising, contextualising, and implementing the national HIV and TB sustainability roadmap,” Ranthithi said.
UNAIDS Country Director, Pepukai Chikukwa, expressed concern that if US funding does not continue over the next five years, an estimated six million lives could be lost worldwide, and eight million new HIV infections could occur.
Chikukwa acknowledged the historical role of CSOs in responding to the HIV epidemic, dating back to the early days of the crisis. She praised CSOs in Lesotho for their long-standing commitment, organising community antiretroviral (ARV) groups and support networks to ease the burden on affected individuals.
“As UNAIDS, we recognise the indispensable role of civil society in the fight against HIV and AIDS. We stand in solidarity with them as they advocate for the rights and needs of vulnerable communities,” she affirmed.
Health minister Selibe Mochoboroane reassured the public that Lesotho remains steadfast in its fight against HIV/AIDS despite the US aid suspension.
“The government is committed to ensuring that all 240,000 patients currently receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) continue to access their medication without disruption,” he indicated.
Mochoboroane pointed out that the US decision would not significantly affect Lesotho’s ARV supply, as 73 percent of the medication is procured directly by the government, with an additional 23 percent provided by the Global Fund.
Other CSOs advocating for urgent action include the Key Affected Populations Alliance of Lesotho, Boipusong HIV and AIDS Youth Organisation, Lesotho Network of AIDS Services Organisations, and the Community of Women Living with HIV and AIDS Lesotho, among others.
The coalition continues to call for a decisive government response to safeguard the gains made in HIV and TB care and ensure that access to lifesaving health services remains non-negotiable.
