An AIDS-Free Generation Starts with Young People

Matseliso after receiving adolescent-friendly services from Queen II hospital adolescents corner.

Matseliso Nchori is a young woman from southwest Lesotho. Five years ago, when she discovered that she was two months pregnant, Matseliso, then 19, attended her first antenatal clinic, where she was offered the opportunity to take an HIV test. She was found positive and immediately enrolled in lifelong antiretroviral treatment to protect herself and her unborn baby. 

Matseliso recalls that her only worry was if she had already infected her baby in the womb. The health care workers provided calm counseling and educated her about the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT). 

Matseliso adhered to her treatment, never missing her appointments, and eventually, she delivered her baby boy safely in a hospital. She breastfed her son for the full recommended 18 months. During that time her son was given prophylaxis to prevent HIV transmission until the baby stopped breastfeeding. The baby tested for HIV regularly, first at 6 weeks, then at 9 months, and yet again at 18 months. All the tests were negative. Matseliso’s son is now 4 years old. He was tested recently and found HIV-free. 

Matseliso joined a peer support group immediately after learning of her HIV-positive status. She likes the adolescent and youth-friendly services provided at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital Adolescent Corner in Maseru, the nation’s capital. “I love everything about this adolescent corner—the health care workers, friendly services, and even my fellow group members. I like the health education provided here, the sharing of experiences with my peers, and above all the singing and dancing,” says Matseliso. 

Matseliso dropped out of school when she was in Form B (equivalent to U.S. grade 9) to work in the Maseru factories and support her family. But she lost her job during the COVID pandemic in 2020 when the factory where she was working closed down. She moved back in with her parents in the Mafeteng District, where she opened a small shop.   

Matseliso and youths at the adolescent corner.

Even though she moved to a different district to live with her family, Matseliso never transferred her antiretroviral therapy refills to the local Mafeteng hospital, so she travels back to Maseru regularly. She says that she doesn’t mind going the long distance to come for appointments or peer support group sessions, as the sessions are always worth it. 

Matseliso’s message to young women with HIV is that as long as they adhere to their antiretroviral treatment and deliver their baby at a hospital, they can be assured that their baby will be free from HIV. She said the AIDS-free generation starts with young people like her.