The country long had the world’s second highest HIV infection rate but made notable progress and hit key milestones in its fight against the epidemic in recent years.

Maseru

Lesotho, which has one of the world's highest HIV infection rates, is experiencing significant challenges following major US foreign aid cuts. The reduction in funding has forced the closure of health clinics and the dismissal of staff, leaving many people living with HIV without access to essential testing and care. 

While the US has temporarily reinstated some programs and implemented a six-month bridge to maintain life-saving efforts, disruptions have already caused concern among residents and health workers. The country had previously made notable progress in combating HIV, reaching important treatment milestones with the help of nearly $1 billion in US aid.

U.S. foreign aid cuts leave people in Lesotho living with HIV in limbo

A devastating health crisis is unfolding in the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho for citizens living with HIV. In the wake of massive US cuts to foreign aid, women are being forced to trek for hours with their babies, only to find essential testing unavailable. Health clinics, once vital lifelines for the most vulnerable, are shutting their doors and many staff are being laid off. The impact that the AIDS cut has caused us is that we don't have, at present, a HIV counsellor. So most of our patients are not being tested. Despite much progress, there are still an estimated 260,000 HIV-positive people living in Lesotho. They say they worry as they look to the future, even as some US programmes have been temporarily reinstated. We are afraid that a lot of people are going to default their treatment due to working long distances. And after defaulting, they're going to infect a lot of people and HIV infections ultimately will increase. The country long had the world's second highest HIV infection rate. But over the years, with nearly $1 billion in US aid, it made notable progress and hit key milestones in its fight against the epidemic. Lesotho is one of seven countries that have reached the 95, 95, 95 treatment targets. And that is huge progress. The US State Department says its six-month bridge programmes will ensure continuity of life-saving efforts. But HIV-positive residents and former health workers say the chaos that reigned this year has caused irreparable harm.

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