The Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS) commemorated World AIDS Day at Police Training College (PTC) on December 14, 2010. The occasion was graced by the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Mr. Lebohang Khetsi and the Deputy Police Commissioner Mr. Kizito Mhlakaza.

The commemoration is part of the workplace HIV and AIDS activities whose aim is to create awareness among members of the Police and to support those who are infected and affected
Addressing members of the police, Mhalakaza indicated that it is the responsibility of the LMPS to ensure safety and security of the people adding that this responsibility is also extended to protection of police members from HIV and AIDS.

Caption: Deputy Police Commissioner led police members on candle light in commemoration of World AIDS Day. On the right are the members of police from country wide

HIV  and AIDS is among the high priority area and for this reason one of the goal of LMPS strategic plan is to reduce HIV prevalence in police services through awareness creation, roll-out HTC, conduct regular research and develop HIV and AIDS policy at workplace.

He said at the moment the LMPS established counseling unit in 2004 to provide HTC among member of police. Through this unit LMPS has now 46 peer counselors and 57 care givers within the service.

Speaking at the same occasion, a member of a workplace HIV support group known as ha ‘Repeleng ‘ Ms. Nthabitseng Khechane said the LMPS HIV and AIDS support group was formed to fight stigma and discrimination of the infected and affected members, encourage care and support and promote home-base care and OVC support to the families of police members.

The support group which is called Ha Repeleng is aimed at creating conducive working environment and ensure the respect of human rights.

Khechane appealed to the LMPS to develop HIV and AIDS work place policy to guide the institution in supporting the infected and affected and to allocate specific budget for the implementation of HIV and AIDS activities within the police. She further appealed for establishment of health clinics within the LMPS to provide HIV and AIDS treatment for the staff.  

She mentioned among the challenges in combating HIV at their workplace include lack of resources to support HIV and AIDS activities, denial of patients, believing in myths and not facts, engaging in Multiple and Concurrent Partners (MCP), drunkenness and adherence of ARV treatment is minimal.

The Principal Secretary Mr. Resilitsitsoe Khetsi saluted the workplace support group for their commitment to provide care and support to the infected and affected within LMPS and assured them his full support.  He also asked the group to register him as a full member of the support group.

The occasion was entertained by the police brass band. Senior police officers from all the districts attended this occasion. Other invited guests were National AIDS Commission (NAC), Global Fund Coordinating Unit, Lesotho Correctional Services (LCS), Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) and NGOs.

The candles were also lighted to remember those who fall in the fight against HIV and to ensure light to those who are left behind.