Maseru, March 26 — The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government of Lesotho and the United States is not binding as the country managed to rectify some of the clauses within its draft.
This, was said by the Minister of Health Mr. Selibe Mochoboroane in the National Assembly on Friday when supporting the motion moved by a Member of Parliament Rev. Paul Masiu, which requested the House to rescind its decision of suspending and halting the MOU on government to government contained in the Consolidated Report on the Annual Budget and Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2026/2027 financial year, adopted on March 17 as the decision will have serious adverse implications for the country.
Mr. Mochoboroane said the government disagreed on the issue of sharing data on HIV and TB with the US for a period of 25 years instead reduced it to five years, clarifying that sharing of data on above is not a new as the Ministry has been sharing it with the World Health Organization and Southern African Development Community (SADC).
He added that the country is also sticking to five years’ agreement in sharing specimen for either TB or HIV, stressing that sharing of data specimen will not be a health hazard to Basotho.
He also said there was clause in MOU draft which indicated that medication should be used if it was approved by the regulatory authority, but the country disagreed, citing that the country ran further tests for HIV injection ( Lenacapavir) which has recently been introduced.
He therefore indicated that the country would be faced with challenges if the MOU could be suspended or halted as the local laboratory facilities are also funded by the US, remanding that the latter has financially supported the country with about M17 billion in reduction of HIV infection since 2007.
On the other hand, Basotho National Party (BNP) Leader Mr. Machesetsa Mofomobe also supported the motion, saying data to be shared would be anonymized, however advising the government to upgrade its medical storage facilities.
He also said the laboratory facilities to be upgraded as per MOU would benefit Basotho, saying partnership between Lesotho and US has always been reliable.
“This agreement is good for Basotho and it’s not about the Minister or the government” he stressed.
Meanwhile the motion was adopted and the House adjourned until April 24 for Easter holidays.
Ends/LP/BM
