Tšepong agrees to termination of QMMH contract Tšepong agrees to termination of QMMH contract
Pascalinah Kabi
THE Tšepong Consortium has elected not to challenge last month’s decision by the government to terminate its lucrative contract to run the Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) on behalf of the state.
However, the Consortium wants the government to immediately compensate it for the termination of the contract. It further alleges that the government would have to fork out way more than just the M3 billion which Finance Minister Thabo Sophonea has said is the termination fee. The Consortium alleges the government owes other sums in unpaid fees hence the demand for much more than just the termination fee. However, it does not say how much the government should pay. It merely says the amount is disputed by the government.
Majoro appointed ABC deputy leader Majoro appointed ABC deputy leader
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Pascalinah Kabi
PRIME Minister Moeketsi Majoro has been appointed deputy leader of the ruling All Basotho Convention (ABC).
He replaces Professor Nqosa Mahao who dumped the ABC to form the Basotho Action Party (BAP) after falling out with Dr Majoro and secretary general Lebohang Hlaele whom he both accused of conniving to hand back the party and government to former Prime Minister and current ABC leader Thomas Thabane.
His appointment was announced by the ABC’s national executive committee (NEC) at a media briefing at the State House this week. The briefing was attended by Mr Thabane, NEC members and members of parliament (MPs) who pledged their support for Dr Majoro to remain prime minister until next year’s elections.
LNA alleges receiving death threats, bribery over QMMH nurses’ salaries LNA alleges receiving death threats, bribery over QMMH nurses’ salaries
Limpho Sello
THE Lesotho Nurses Association (LNA’s) executive committee members have claimed receiving death threats and bribery attempts from well-known individuals who wanted to coerce them into ditching their fight for salary increases for Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH).
LNA secretary general ‘Mamonica Mokhesi said this on Thursday after the announcement that former QMMH nurses would next month be absorbed by the government.
Health minister Semano Sekatle on Thursday announced that the government has resolved to absorb 276 former Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) nurses and nursing assistants.
Second batch of Covid-19 vaccines next month: Sekatle Second batch of Covid-19 vaccines next month: Sekatle
Nthatuoa Koeshe
HEALTH Minister Semano Sekatle says Lesotho will take delivery of its second batch of Covid-19 vaccines sometime next month.
Addressing parliament this week, Mr Sekatle said the government would this time also procure Johnson & Johnson vaccines in addition to the AstraZeneca vaccines.
“Until now we have only received 36 000 AstraZeneca vaccines but the Ministry of Health is waiting for more vaccines to arrive in the country in May,” Mr Sekatle said.
“Unlike AstraZeneca which is administered twice to a person, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is only injected once. Lesotho has therefore, ordered the Johnson & Johnson vaccines to increase the number of people to be vaccinated.”
Johnson & Johnson vaccines for Lesotho
MASERU-HEALTH Minister Semano Sekatle says Lesotho has paid a deposit of M25 million to buy 1.1 million Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines.
The vaccines will be delivered early next month.
Sekatle told Parliament on Monday that the million vaccines will be in addition to the 36 000 AstraZeneca that were delivered in March.
“The Lesotho government has paid 15 percent of the deposit of M25 million for the vaccines,” Sekatle said.
The vaccines are being acquired through the Covax Facility which seeks to accelerate the development and access to vaccines to poor countries.
The target is to inoculate 20 percent of the population in poor countries through this provision.