Lesotho Parliament President Calls for Country’s Chiefs To Undergo Voluntary HIV Testing
The President of Lesotho's Upper House of Parliament Chief Sempe Lejaha on Wednesday called for chiefs in the country to be tested voluntarily for HIV to help reduce the stigma associated with the disease, the Associated Press reports. He said that the chiefs could use their "high cultural stature" to fight the epidemic facing the small country, where approximately 31% of the nation's 2.1 million people are HIV-positive, according to the Associated Press. Lejaha said during a press conference, "HIV voluntary counseling and testing will help reduce stigmatization in the communities" (Molefe, Associated Press, 8/6).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.