The General   Manager of National Drugs Services Organisation (NDSO) Mr. Matebele Sefali acknowledged Global Fund grants for providing 40 percent of Lesotho HIV/AIDS treatment.

Through Global Fund Round 5 HIV grant, the NDSO as a central medical store of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare facilitated procurement, store and distribution of Antiretrovirals (ART) and Opportunist Infection (OIs) drugs, condoms, home-base care kits and nutritional supplements.

Caption: ARV drugs stock at NDSO store in Mafeteng district in Lesotho

He indicated that the Global Fund related procurement are done in accordance with Global Fund procurement regulations and in accordance with World health Organisation (WHO) prequalified list.  He said all GF related procurement are conducted in consultation with Procurement unit of Global Fund Coordinating Unit (GFCU) where all tenders are advertised internationally.

“I thank Global Fund because the NDSO as organization also benefited from GF grant by supporting additional key staff such as Supplier Coordinator and the Assistance as well as NDSO Procurement Coordinator are all paid using GF grants,” he acknowledged.

Meanwhile the NDSO will also benefit from R8 grants through two addition staff in their procurement unit and two vehicles for drug distribution to the facilities. The NDSO will countinue to facilitate procurement, store and distribution of ARVs and OIs drugs as well as home-base care kits and nutritional supplement in Round 8 HIV grant.