VZCZCXRO7817
PP RUEHMR
DE RUEHMR #0188/01 1091331
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 191331Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2001
INFO RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2268

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000188 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AIDAC 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR S/GAC, USAID AND AF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KHIV PREL PHUM SOCI LT
SUBJECT: PROGRESS OF USG HIV/AIDS PROGRAM IN LESOTHO 
 
Summary 
---------- 
 
¶1.  USG Programs in the Kingdom of Lesotho, a non-'focus' 
country under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief 
(PEPFAR), are reaping recognition from Basotho governmental and 
non-governmental corners.  The extensive interaction of the 
HIV/AIDS Coordinator with local entities, continued public 
outreach by the Ambassador and senior level visitors, and 
specific USAID, CDC, Peace Corps, DOL and DOD programs coupled 
with the growing presence of U.S. universities have resulted in 
excellent media coverage and supportive public statements.  As 
USG regional and in-country teams craft next year's plan, they 
do so in an atmosphere of increasing public and private 
awareness.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.      The on-the-ground activities of post's HIV/AIDS 
Coordinator and Ambassador's leadership position on the UN's 
Expanded HIV/AIDS Theme Group are being recognized in feedback 
from local organizations, the Minister of Health, and the media. 
 Coordinator Joan Atkinson has brought together all U.S. 
organizations in partnership with PVOs and who are working with 
the technical teams of the GoL.  As the U.S. representative on 
the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) for the Global Fund 
grants, the Coordinator played a major role in drafting the 
country's response to the Global Fund in early 2006.  As a 
result of this response, threatened cutoffs of funding never 
materialized and the GOL's Minister of Health has repeatedly 
thanked the U.S. Ambassador for support since his thinly-staffed 
agency relied so heavily on U.S. expertise. 
 
¶3.      USD$7 million of PEPFAR funding has allowed a rapid 
scale-up of USAID, CDC and Peace Corps funded programs: 
 
X       A pre-small grants workshop directed towards local 
organizations and managed by USAID through PACT drew 
representatives of nearly 100 community-based organizations to 
Maseru.  Technical reviews of grant applications have resulted 
in grant agreements with 9 organizations to date, with grants 
ranging from USD$65,000 to USD$300,000. 
 
X  In January 2006 over 500 youth between the ages of 11 to 24 
years participated in a highly successful three day, "Life 
Affirming Youth Sports Camp" organized by Peace Corps.  The 
camps integrated HIV prevention messages with recreational 
activities. 
 
X PMTCT+ 'Site Readiness' appraisals followed by dissemination 
workshops have been conducted at 3 major health care facilities 
in Lesotho. The appraisals were conducted by Columbia University 
together with the Academy for Educational Development and the 
Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric Foundation who have formed the 
Partnership for Family Centered HIV Programs (PFHP) in order to 
scale-up PMTCT+ services at these 3 sites. 
 
X With USG support a Technical Advisor has been hired to assist 
the National TB Program with GFATM grant implementation and with 
the process of integrating TB & HIV services in 4 pilot 
districts.  A second Senior HCT/TB/HIV Advisor is in the process 
of being identified. 
 
X With the assistance of the USAID Capacity Project, human 
resource managers with the MOHSW are being assisted to develop 
operational plans for their department.  This is part of a 
larger effort to assist in the implementation of Lesotho's Human 
Resources Strategic Plan for health. 
 
X USG HIV/AIDS funding is providing the assistance of an 
architectural firm as well as a health consultant to assist in 
preparing a proposal to the Millennium Challenge Corporation. 
The proposal will include basic infrastructural needs (clinic 
upgrades & renovations, blood transfusion centers, dorms. etc.) 
as well as address the shortage of health care workers in 
Lesotho. 
 
X USG funding will strengthen the national 'Know Your Status' 
campaign through continued support for stand-alone VCT sites as 
well as by initiating a new program that will improve the 
quality of VCT in existing health facilities. 
 
X The USG is working with the Global Fund CCM to access 
Technical Assistance funds to assist in implementation of Global 
Fund grants made available for this purpose by Ambassador 
Tobias. 
 
¶4.  The March visit of DOD's Technical Support Manager Dr. Anne 
Thomas highlighted the interest in PMTCT training for the 
Lesotho Defense Force and civilian institutions.  Her tour of 
the Military Hospital garnered extensive local/regional coverage 
and encouraged HIV testing and treatment of personnel.  The 
Commander of the LDF publicly thanked the USG for its past and 
 
MASERU 00000188  002 OF 002 
 
 
present contributions to controlling the spread of AIDS. 
 
¶5.  During an April 11 presentation to all donors, Lesotho's 
Finance Minister praised USG contributions and those of private 
U.S. organizations in the nation's fight against HIV/AIDS.  The 
Minister has also requested specific information on USG programs 
that can be incorporated into publications the GoL produces. 
Embassy and interagency personnel expect to be involved over the 
coming weeks in consultations with donors, Baylor College of 
Medicine and Boston University's Medical Center to chart future 
directions.  The Ambassador, the EU head of delegation and the 
UNICEF director met in March with the new chair of Lesotho's 
National AIDS Commission (NAC) Board to identify areas where 
donors can help strengthen the NAC's umbrella role, one we view 
as essential to continued forward movement. 
PERRY