The National AIDS commission (NAC) convened a two-day annual forum for the public sector line ministries HIV and AIDS focal persons held at Lesotho Cooperative College from December 3, 2010.
The objective was to present Line-ministries’ work place HIV and AIDs programs from different ministries with a view to share experience and to revive HIV care and support activities at work places.

Dr. Molotsi Monyamane attended the forum where he made presentation on workplace HIV programs and wellness activities. He later joined the participants in lighting of candles to join the World in commemoration of World AIDS Day that is marked on December 1st.

Caption: participants from line ministries attend workplace forum organised by NAC. On the right Dr. Monyamane and Rev Makhalanyane led the candle light

The Ministry of Public Services and NAC facilitated the meeting while participants were HIV focal persons from the line ministries. During the forum, presenters from different ministries tabled their workplace programs and activities to the participants.

Presenting a draft capacity assessment report for HIV workplace program at the meeting, Mrs. Nosipho Nonyana said the assessment mainly focused on existence of HIV committee at workplace, budget on HIV activities, HIV policy and dedicated personnel to implement HIV workplace programs. Other factors assessed in the report were occupational health and safety as well as HIV mainstreaming.

According to Nonyana, the assessment findings revealed that 72.7% of Government ministries have HIV AIDS policies. However, she added that most of these policies are not widely disseminated to staff and therefore staff are not aware of their existence.

Despite of the availability of HIV and AIDS policies at workplace, most ministries did not develop action plans except only five ministries and therefore they have no budget to implement activities to support their polices.

The report therefore recommend for all line ministries to have HIV policies for workplace and their action plans as well as establishment of HIV committees where senior management should be part of it and develop clear terms of reference for such committees.

Presenting on HIV mainstreaming at work place, Mrs. Mamohau Mohata from the Ministry of Public Works mentioned examples of workplace program include trainings, awareness creation, peer education or discussion forums, establishment of support groups, Greater Involvement of People living with HIV and AIDS (GIPA), access to HTC services at work or through campaigns, condoms availability and wellness or support program for infected or affected.

Mohata called on senior management of government ministries to support the HIV workplace programs in order to save live of the work force.

The Deputy GFCU Coordinator Rev. Mokhothu Makhalanyane led the candle light with a word of prayer to motivate those that are living with HIV and AIDS and also prayed for those befallen heroes who died while they are still fighting the disease.

The NAC work place program is supported by the Global Fund Round 8 grant to provide care and support for the government work force infected and affected with HIV and AIDS.