The SADC’s Inter-State Defence and Security Committee should place more emphasis on fighting against typhoid, cholera and HIV/AIDS, diseases which are common in the region.

Commander of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Lieutenant General Thuso Motanyane speaking at a meeting in Maseru on November 29, said the impact of these diseases and resulting illnesses pose a big challenge to defence forces in general and medical services in particular.  

It is the responsibility of defence forces to look after the welfare and health of their members at all times. It is therefore imperative that favourable measures are implemented to control and reduce the diseases' effect on soldiers.

29 November 2005