Africa-Press – Lesotho. PRIME Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro yesterday pledged to mobilise funds to support the development of a Covid-19 drug being developed by the National University of Lesotho (NUL).
He was speaking in the Senate after being asked if he was aware that the university had embarked on research to develop a drug that would help treat Covid-19.
The project has however been thwarted by a lack of funds to undertake preclinical tests. The Senators demanded answers from Dr Majoro on how his government is going to finance the project to its finality.
They demanded to know the government’s plans (both short term, medium-term and long term) to invest into scientific research, innovation and development in the next twenty years.
Professor Nqosa Mahao demanded answers from Dr Majoro about the progress made on the Covid-19 drug by the NUL lecturers. He said he is worried that the lecturers were beginning to fight amongst themselves and wanted to know what the government was doing to help resolve the dispute.
Dr Majoro said the government is aware of the fight over the drug saying Prof Mahao was still a minister when he formed a subcommittee to intervene on the issue of lecturers.
He said he is proud to report that the conflict is over and now what is left is a concrete plan. He urged the university’s Innovation Hub to continue with its job.
“This research requires a lot of money,” he said. He said they have signed a Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation agreement with South Africa to collaborate on research issues.
Dr Majoro said they urged the NUL to continue with the project and come to the government when problems arise. “I have ordered the university to solve the issue.
I met the new vice-chancellor this morning,” he said. Dr Majoro said the lecturers should be encouraged and applauded over their excellent work. He said the issue is very important as the country has not invested in scientists before.
He said even though there is no money the country must inject some financial resources in the research fund to help the nation as other pandemics will still come.
Dr Majoro said when he was a lecturer he had to apply for funds outside the country. He said the future of Lesotho lies on the expertise of Basotho. He said the cabinet met this week and agreed that the government will fund the project.
Prof Mahao said the National Research Council has always been a dream saying Dr Majoro should tell the House how much the government gives the university to do research work.
He said research falls under the Communications Ministry that has been talking about the National Research Council but never delivered. “No country can thrive unless they invest in advanced research and innovation,” Prof Mahao said.
Deputy Prime Minister Mathibeli Mokhothu said the government is aware of the research on the Covid-19 drug. He said the government is working out the issue adding that cabinet had since formed a sub-committee to deal with the matter. The committee is made up of Ministers of Communication, Education, Tourism, Health, Development Planning and Finance.
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