Lesotho appreciates the technical and financial support provided by the United States (U.S) government to ensure improvement in the health sector.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Mphu Ramatlapeng said this at a joint press conference in Maseru on Thursday at the end of the U.S global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Mark Dybul's visit to Lesotho which started on Tuesday.

Dr Ramatlapeng said apart from financial support, there are a number of doctors who are rendering services at the children's clinic at Baylor College of Excellence, adding that tutors will also be invited from U.S to train more nurses in Lesotho.

At the same occasion, U.S Ambassador to Lesotho Mr. Robert Nolan said his government is working hard to help Lesotho break the cycle concerning HIV/AIDS pandemic.

He added that his government has provided M91 million to directly combat the pandemic through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Mr. Nolan further said over M2 billion will be invested in Lesotho through the Millennium Challenge Account to improve issues relating to health, water and private sector infrastructure to alleviate poverty and give Lesotho the basic health services needed to overcome HIV/AIDS. The money will be used in five years time.

Ambassador Dybul leads PEPFAR programme and he visited a number of PEPFAR funded sites in the country that included among others, Queen Elizabeth II hospital, footwear factory in Maputsoe and a rural community based project in Ketane, Mohale's hoek.

Source: LENA 24/01/2008