as private sector ends its funding for Covid vaccines, meanwhile, govt disbands NACOSEC. Limpho Sello BUSINESS mogul-turned-politician, Sam Matekane, has resigned from the chairship of the private sector fund for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines. The fund has also stopped procuring Covid-19 vaccines, with Mr Matekane saying they felt they had done their part to […]
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Govt, private sector fight threatens Covid 19 vaccines procurement Govt, private sector fight threatens Covid 19 vaccines procurement
Staff Reporters
A DISPUTE between the government and the private sector over the latter’s plans to procure 200 000 Covid-19 vaccines is threatening to derail the private sectors’ participation in the fight against Covid 19.
Dubbed the
Sesiu Sa Letšoele Le Beta Poho, (unity is power), the private sector initiative was launched amid pomp and fanfare two months ago by Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro at business mogul Sam Matekane’s MGC building in Maseru
.
Despite a glittering ceremony last month to launch the private sector-led initiative to procure Covid-19 vaccines to complement the government, the two sides are now at loggerheads with Health Minister Semano Sekatle accusing the private sector of shopping for the vaccines from unapproved sources.
Govt refuses to authorise Covid-19 vaccines purchase Govt refuses to authorise Covid-19 vaccines purchase
Pascalinah Kabi
THE Health ministry has refused to grant the private sector permission to purchase the Russian Sputnik V to fight Covid-19.
Health Minister Semano Sekatle yesterday said they could not allow the private sector to procure the vaccines as they had not been approved for use by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The stand-off between the government and the private sector over the vaccines could hamper the government’s plans of vaccinating about 1, 6 million people before the end of the year.
An order for the vaccines was supposed to have been placed last month after the private sector raised over M40 million to augment government efforts to ensure that every eligible person in Lesotho is vaccinated against the pandemic.