The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of States and Government summit on HIV/AIDS that was formerly scheduled to take place in Maseru from May 07 to 09, has been postponed to continue during the first week of June.

Speaking in an interview, the Principal Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Kubutu Makhakhe told LENA that the summit was postponed because most of the Heads of State expected to attend the summit had not yet confirmed their participation. He said the objective of the summit would still be to among others, focus and mobilize greater leadership attention and regional collaboration against HIV/AIDS; agreeing on coherent and coordinated national and regional plans against HIV/AIDS within SADC.

Mr. Makhakhe noted that the summit will also enable sharing of lessons and experiences on what has worked, replicating successful interventions, and identifying the constraints that underpin effective implementation. The Summit will focus on the four most pressing dimensions of the HIV/AIDS crisis that include prevention and education, care and support for those infected and affected, treatment including Anti-retroviral therapy, as well as orphans and vulnerable children.

The expected out come of the summit is a joint declaration, including specific steps and a time-table for concerted and coordinated actions to fight HIV/AIDS in the SADC region.  Lesotho currently has an infection rate of 31% with a population of 2.2 million.

9 May 2003