National AIDS Commission (NAC) in conjunction with Mantsopa Communication officially launched various Behavior Change Communications (BCC) materials at the ceremony held at Lehakoe in July, 2011.

 
The two organizations jointly launched; four episodes television series “Khetho eaka” which was broadcasted early August, 2011 and 30 episodes of radio drama that was broadcasted on Radio Lesotho. Other materials launched are posters, stickers, booklets and pamphlets all conveying behavior change messages to all sectors of society in order to prevent new HIV infections in the country.

Caption: Mantsopa Communications Director Mrs. Limpho Mokhochane speaking during the BCC launch

Speaking at the launch, the Acting Chief Executive of NAC, Mrs. ‘Maneheng Mopeli commended Mantsopa Communications for the job well done. She said the next step after production of the various messages is to disseminate them to reach all the people in the country.

Mrs. Mopeli appealed to all age groups to consider changing their behaviors especially that of having Multiple and Concurrent Partners (MCP) to reduce the spread of HIV.

She thanked Global Fund for the funding that supported the BCC activities and also thanked the national Communications Technical Working Group (TWG) for their technical support during the assessment, development and production of BCC materials.

She acknowledged the contribution of all stakeholders from Government, UN Agencies, faith based and Non Governmental Organizations during the development of the BCC strategy up until the development of messages with a view to contribute in the reduction of HIV incidence and prevalence in Lesotho.

Expressing her vote of thanks, the Managing Director of Mantsopa Communications Mrs. Limpho Mokhochane thanked all actors, actresses and production crew without whom the launch would not have been possible.

She said during the project implementation they conducted an assessment where they met different sectors of societies from all the districts and all age groups to be able to develop messages that suit their situations. “Each message therefore communicates to a certain behavior that was found during the assessment,” she said.

Adding that with different communication tools produced, she said all populations will be reached with prevention messages that target them specifically.

Mrs. Mokhochane said that BCC is not about messages only but it is a way of life i.e. practicing safe sex, being faithful and having one partner adding that, the behavior change programme does not end to a certain individual but it is also extended to service delivery such as condom accessibility and HIV Testing and Counseling.

 
She therefore thanked NAC for trusting Mantsopa to execute this mammoth task for the nation and also thanked the Global Fund for funding the BCC programme which is of crucial importance in HIV prevention.

The BCC project is funded under Global Fund Round 8 HIV grant whose aim is to reduce incidences of new infections in both the general and specific populations. The BCC messages will be disseminated through mass media such as radio and television as well as through community outreach.