THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO COMBINED SECOND TO EIGHTH PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS AND INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA 159. In the financial year 2015/2016, the government allocated 13 percent of the national budget to the Ministry of Health. In 2016/2017, the Government met the target of allocating 15 percent of the national budget to the Ministry of Health as contemplated in the Abuja Declaration. 160. During the financial year 2015/2016, the Ministry of Health launched a retention programme for nurses and midwives working in remote areas of the country. The Government has also continued to train more medical doctors, with a third cohort of students having been sent to Zimbabwe beginning of 2015 and approximately 39 nurses sent for advanced midwifery training to address the challenge of high maternal mortality rate in Lesotho. 161. The Government subsidises most health care services to ensure that all citizens of Lesotho have access to primary healthcare; 162. Antiretroviral treatment continues to be provided free of charge in all Government health care centres. 163. From October 2014 to September 2015, the Ministry of Health in conjunction with World Vision developed a Citizen Voice and Action Programme, with the aim of increasing the capacity of the community to engage and advocate for improved quality health and education system. The Programme targeted young men and women. As a result of the Programme, in February 2016, the proportion of infants whose births were attended to by skilled birth attendants improved from 70% to 85%47. Further, mother's waiting rooms were constructed by the Government in health care centres in the Berea and Mohale's Hoek districts. New health centres were introduced in Sefikaneng, Makhunoane and Lenkoane villages. 47 72