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Lesotho
In Lesotho, the Joint Team continued its support for the implementation of various HIV-related policies and guidelines and differentiated services among children and adolescent girls and young women, and key populations.
All eligible children living with HIV were successfully transitioned to a Dolutegravir-based treatment regimen through the implementation of the paediatric Dolutegravir transition policy. Rollout of the new prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) guidelines and improved access to PMTCT services helped to address some of the persistent inequalities, including low antiretroviral coverage and viral load suppression among children; and poorer PMTCT outcomes among adolescent girls and young women. To address existing gaps and inform programme planning in 2023, the joint HIV and tuberculosis epidemiology review and assessment of the joint HIV and tuberculosis programme was completed and the annual vulnerability assessment report which included the needs and vulnerability of people living with HIV finalized, generating evidence to support an effective response in 2023. Through two community-based organizations working with female sex workers and the LGBTI community, access to sexual and reproductive health, HIV/TB and gender-based violence services was improved for these key populations. This effort also enabled adolescents, young people, and key population representatives to actively participate in the national programme planning, monitoring and delivery of services.