Mohloai Mpesi
THE government has so far spent more than M1 million on medical treatment for Thaba Bosiu Principal Chief Khoabane Theko, who has been hospitalised in India since falling ill during an official trip to the Asian country in March.
The expenditure came to light this week during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing, where Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital (QMMH) Finance Manager, Tšele Sehlabo, was questioned about payments made for the chief’s treatment.
PAC chairperson, ‘Machabana Lemphane-Letsie, asked Mr Sehlabo to explain why QMMH had settled medical bills for a patient in India.
“We heard that you have paid for a patient in India. Who was it, how much did you pay and why did you do that?” Ms Lemphane-Letsie asked.
Mr Sehlabo replied that the patient was Chief Theko and said QMMH had acted within its mandate.
“It is Morena Khoabane Theko. He became ill while on an official trip in India. Since Queen ‘Mamohato has the mandate of covering patients outside the country, we had to intervene in March,” he said.
His explanation prompted sharp criticism from Committee members, who questioned whether all the government officials who fall ill while travelling on official business are entitled to similar assistance.
Ms Lemphane-Letsie cited her own experience of falling ill during an official trip to Zimbabwe, saying she had paid for her own medical treatment.
“If I get sick on an official trip, should I call Queen ‘Mamohato? I became sick and had an operation while on an official trip in Zimbabwe. Does that mean I made a mistake and QMMH should have paid my medical bills?” she asked.
Mr Sehlabo maintained that officials who fall ill while abroad should immediately contact the nearest Lesotho embassy, which would then liaise with QMMH.
“When you are sick on an official trip, you should contact the Lesotho embassy immediately. They will talk to us,” he said.
PAC member, Lephoi Makara, asked how much had been spent on Chief Theko’s treatment so far.
Mr Sehlabo said he did not have the supporting documents before him but estimated that the amount had already exceeded M1 million.
“I don’t have the documents, but I think it is over a million now. He is still in India even now,” he said.
Ms Lemphane-Letsie pressed him further.
“Are you saying that when someone falls sick while on an official trip outside the country, they should contact the embassy, which will then ask QMMH to pay?” she asked.
Mr Sehlabo answered in the affirmative.
“Yes, it is like that,” he said.
Asked to explain the basis of that arrangement, he said the Ministry of Health had mandated QMMH to manage treatment for Basotho referred outside the country.
“The Ministry of Health has given QMMH the mandate to treat patients outside the country. There is no other institution authorised to do that apart from QMMH,” he said.
PAC member Dr Tšeliso Moroke warned that Mr Sehlabo’s interpretation was problematic.
“What you have just said, Mr Sehlabo, is very dangerous,” Dr Moroke said.
However, Ministry of Health Principal Secretary, ‘Matšoanelo Monyobi, intervened to clarify that Chief Theko was not treated simply because he became ill while travelling.
She said he was one of four patients formally approved for specialised treatment in India.
“I want to clarify the issue of Morena Theko. He was one of four patients who were approved for treatment in India,” Ms Monyobi said.
Ms Lemphane-Letsie accused Mr Sehlabo of misleading the Committee, saying his explanation differed significantly from that of the principal secretary.
“I want us to establish what is true and what is not. Is Mr Sehlabo not telling us the truth? I told you not to lie to this Committee,” she said.
Mr Sehlabo defended himself.
“I told the Committee what I know. To me, it is the truth,” he said.
The PAC chairperson challenged him to provide evidence supporting his claim that officials who become ill while travelling on official business should contact embassies for QMMH assistance.
“The PS says these were four referred patients under the government’s referral system. Tell us what makes you say Mr Theko simply became ill while on an official trip.
“I went to Zimbabwe with my own money because I was refused medical aid. Give us evidence that what you are saying is correct and that officials on duty abroad can simply contact embassies, which will then contact QMMH.”
Mr Sehlabo responded: “I will look into my documents, but indeed we paid the bill in India.”
Ms Monyobi further explained that Cabinet had approved funding for the four patients because the specialised treatment they required was unavailable in both Lesotho and South Africa.
“There were four patients, and Chief Khoabane was one of them. They were authorised by Cabinet to be treated in India because the treatment they required could not be provided in Lesotho or South Africa,” she said.
Asked whether Cabinet had specifically instructed QMMH to settle the medical bills, Ms Monyobi said Cabinet had approved the funding for the patients’ treatment.
“Cabinet approved that those people should be treated in India,” she said.
Ms Lemphane-Letsie then questioned what had happened to the funds approved by Cabinet if QMMH ultimately paid the bills.
“What happened to the money allocated for treatment in India? If it was requested and approved, why did QMMH end up paying? Who was actually supposed to settle the bills?” she asked.
Ms Monyobi said she could not immediately confirm the total amount approved but acknowledged that QMMH had paid for the treatment.
“Yes, it was QMMH that had to pay the bills. I am not sure about the amount that was requested, but it was not released at the time it was requested,” she said.
