U.N. Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS Lewis, WHO AIDS Director Kim Visit Lesotho To Evaluate HIV/AIDS Programs

U.N. Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa Stephen Lewis on Wednesday began a three-day visit to Lesotho to evaluate the Southern African country's developments in the fight against HIV/AIDS, AFP/Yahoo! News reports. In addition, World Health Organization HIV/AIDS Programme Director Jim Yong Kim visited the country on Wednesday. According to a U.N. statement, Lewis examined the latest advances in health center and home-based treatment, while Kim reviewed the progress of the country's antiretroviral drug distribution program (AFP/Yahoo! News, 8/16). Lewis' "advocacy efforts, visits and follow-ups have contributed significantly in putting Lesotho on the global radar screen, as he has relentlessly pushed for technical and financial resources in supporting government's efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS and, more specifically, in scaling up treatment," according to a U.N. release (IRIN/AllAfrica.com, 8/16). During his visit, Lewis was expected to meet with Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, the ministers of health and foreign affairs, the U.N. country team resident coordinator, and representatives of the National AIDS Secretariat and the Lesotho Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS. Kim was expected to meet the country's minister of health, the WHO representative in Lesotho and the U.N. country team representative (South African Press Association, 8/16).