So I was looking at an HD video of this beautiful country, so I wikied it, and found some bad news. I knew aids in africa was really bad, but I did not know it was to this extent. This is enough to deture me from visiting the country at all. I can just picture my self getting a cut , and some how getting AIDS in it. I know that sounds to fearful, and possibly ignorant, but my gut says dont go.
Health
Infant mortality is at about 8.3 %.[19] There are 5 physicians per 100,000 persons.[20]
[edit] HIV/AIDS
Lesotho is severely afflicted by HIV/AIDS. According to recent estimates, the prevalence is about 23.2%, one of the highest in the world.[21] In urban areas, about 50% of women under 40 have HIV. Lesotho Bureau of Statistics stated that in 2001 life expectancy was estimated at 48 years for men and 56 for women.[citation needed] Recent statistics estimate about 37 years.[citation needed] According to the CIA's World Factbook, the average life expectancy is 41.18 for men and 39.54 for women.[14]
The government of Lesotho was initially slow to recognize the scale of the crisis, and its efforts to date in combating the spread of the disease have had limited success. In 1999, the government finalized its Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS, a diagram for addressing the education, prevention, counseling, and treatment needs of the populace. In late 2003, the government announced that it was forming a new National AIDS Commission to coordinate society-wide anti-AIDS activities. Also in 2003 the government hosted a SADC Extraordinary Summit on HIV/AIDS.[citation needed]
In 2005, programs for the distribution of anti-retrovirals (ARVs) were initiated. One such program is in Hlotse, Leribe at Tsepong Clinic which is part of Motebang Hospital. However, such programs remain limited in resources and have relatively few participants.[citation needed]
The government has started a proactive program called "Know your status" to test everyone in the country who wants to be tested for HIV. The program is funded by the Clinton Foundation and started in June 2006. Bill Clinton and Microsoft chairman Bill Gates visited Lesotho in July 2006 to assess its fight against AIDS.[citation needed]
The Apparel Lesotho Alliance to Fight AIDS (ALAFA) is an industry-wide program providing prevention and treatment, including ARVs when these are necessary, for the 46,000 mainly women workers in the Lesotho apparel industry. It was launched in May 2006. The program is helping to combat two of the key drivers of the HIV/AIDS epidemic: poverty and gender inequality. Surveys within the industry by ALAFA show that 43% of employers have HIV.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesotho#HIV.2FAIDS
Health
Infant mortality is at about 8.3 %.[19] There are 5 physicians per 100,000 persons.[20]
[edit] HIV/AIDS
Lesotho is severely afflicted by HIV/AIDS. According to recent estimates, the prevalence is about 23.2%, one of the highest in the world.[21] In urban areas, about 50% of women under 40 have HIV. Lesotho Bureau of Statistics stated that in 2001 life expectancy was estimated at 48 years for men and 56 for women.[citation needed] Recent statistics estimate about 37 years.[citation needed] According to the CIA's World Factbook, the average life expectancy is 41.18 for men and 39.54 for women.[14]
The government of Lesotho was initially slow to recognize the scale of the crisis, and its efforts to date in combating the spread of the disease have had limited success. In 1999, the government finalized its Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS, a diagram for addressing the education, prevention, counseling, and treatment needs of the populace. In late 2003, the government announced that it was forming a new National AIDS Commission to coordinate society-wide anti-AIDS activities. Also in 2003 the government hosted a SADC Extraordinary Summit on HIV/AIDS.[citation needed]
In 2005, programs for the distribution of anti-retrovirals (ARVs) were initiated. One such program is in Hlotse, Leribe at Tsepong Clinic which is part of Motebang Hospital. However, such programs remain limited in resources and have relatively few participants.[citation needed]
The government has started a proactive program called "Know your status" to test everyone in the country who wants to be tested for HIV. The program is funded by the Clinton Foundation and started in June 2006. Bill Clinton and Microsoft chairman Bill Gates visited Lesotho in July 2006 to assess its fight against AIDS.[citation needed]
The Apparel Lesotho Alliance to Fight AIDS (ALAFA) is an industry-wide program providing prevention and treatment, including ARVs when these are necessary, for the 46,000 mainly women workers in the Lesotho apparel industry. It was launched in May 2006. The program is helping to combat two of the key drivers of the HIV/AIDS epidemic: poverty and gender inequality. Surveys within the industry by ALAFA show that 43% of employers have HIV.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesotho#HIV.2FAIDS
Getting around was hard too, we rented a car from South-Africa, but it was kinda hard to find gas in Lesotho. But still a great place for some backpacking and seeing the other side of life.. Makes u appreciate yours more........ If you're not paranoid about getting AIDS, go while you still can!
