- According to the WHO global TB report (2023), Lesotho is among the 30 high-burden countries for tuberculosis and the 30 high-burden countries for TB/HIV in the World. The estimated TB incidence is 661/100,000, with a treatment coverage of only 37% in 2023, less than the global target of 90%. The HIV prevalence is 22%, and an incidence of 4500 new infections per year. The TB/HIV coinfection is 56%. About 95% of PLHIV are on ART compared to 100% of the global target. The uptake for TPT for PLHIV is 66%, while 27% of household contacts of bacteriologically positive TB cases are on TPT compared to the 100% target. MDR TB is still high, with a treatment coverage rate of only 22% and a treatment success rate of 74%, according to the WHO global TB report of 2023. The TB epidemic in Lesotho is still of public health importance.
- The TB Operational Plan is a collaborative response by the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme (NTLP) and TB stakeholders to address the eight priority areas identified by the Global Fund’s Technical Review Panel in Lesotho’s GC7 funding request. This plan specifically focuses on two key objectives: increasing TB treatment coverage and improving treatment success rates for both drug-susceptible. It is an excerpt from the TB/HIV National Action Plan aligned to the National TB Strategic Plan of 2023 -2028. The NTLP and TB Stakeholders refined the plan during a three-day meeting in Lesotho from September 4 – 6, 2024.