Doctors Without Borders, an international independent medical humanitarian organization has launched a three year HIV/AIDS programme in the country, according to a statement from the organisation.

The programme, an attempt to scale up access for HIV/AIDS treatment in Lesotho, was launched last month and is aimed at “reducing HIV-related morbidity and mortality through the implementation of decentralised HIV/AIDS services, including provision of anti-retrovirals.”
 
Initially the programme has targeted the Morija Scott Hospital health service area and will enhance community-based programmes by providing free HIV/AIDS care and treatment to 14 health centres in the area.

Two mobile teams comprising a nurse and a doctor will visit each health centre once a week to provide direct clinical care for HIV infected people and offer on-the-spot supervision and training for nurses, village health workers and other care providers, the statement said.

Doctors Without Borders was founded in 1971 to deliver emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care to more than 70 countries.

06 February 2006