Mochoboroane allays fears over US funding cuts

LINEO MALATALIANA

MASERU – The Minister of Health, Selibe Mochoboroane, has addressed some of the direct effects of the recent executive orders passed by the United States of America’s new president, Donald Trump, on Lesotho’s health sector.

Mochoboroane stole a moment at the commemoration of World Cancer Day on February 5 in Maseru to calm down the frenzy caused by the recent tremor in what he referred to as the world health politic. Of the executive orders passed Mochoboroane announced that only two affect the health systems in the country.

“The first executive order that affects Lesotho is the departure of the US government from the World Health Organisation. America accounts for 18 percent of the contributions made by member countries which equates to around USD 500 million,” Mochoboroane said.

The minister indicated that this impacts on the country because it touches on WHO’s budget in Lesotho. “Last year WHO injected M30 million toward the country’s health sector, this means that WHO will not be able to inject the same amount this year. However, it does not imply that the organisation will fail to deliver services to its recipients,” the minister said.

The Health Minister said that WHO budget will be affect, but it does not mean it will not be able to render services to the health systems of its member countries. The second order is the freezing of USAID, which helps the country with issues pertaining to HIV/Aids, TB and testing commodities. This move has greatly affected the employment of 1 500 employees employed by partners working with the ministry.

“When the orders were executed, I informed the government as the ministry and rounded up all in party to come up with way to ensure that Basotho’s livelihoods are not shaken,” Mochoboroane said. First the minister and his task team looked into the state of HIV/Aids medication. “There are 240 000 Basotho on Antiretroviral drugs. The government buys 73 percent of the drugs with the assistance of Global Fund securing 23 percent. Looking into matters Global Fund is not affected by the orders,” the minister stated.

This guarantees that Basotho will continue to receive treatment without hesitation. As for testing commodities, the minister said they looked into the stock they have and how the supply chain will allow for lab operate for three for the next three months.

“The country has in stock enough commodities to last lab operations for about five to nine months subject to change if any disruptions occur,” the minister said.

To secure the employment Basotho to continue rendering services, the minister said the ministry convened with their partners to draw up salary costing of employees on government scale.

“It will cost the government M27 million to assure employees from USAID funded programs are paid at government scale,” Mochoboroane said. Mochoboroane was excited to have learned that PEPFAR waiver has been accepted. Indicating that the organisation is to continue with all projects relating to HIV/Aids testing, treating and lab operations.

Through this statement, Mochoboroane said he had addressed issues relating to world health politics brought on by the ascend of the new USA administration.