Staff Reporter

MASERU — Charges for medical services, licensing for private clinics and traditional healers, and use of the ministry’s property have been hiked by more than 100 percent.

Last week the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare released a circular of the revised medical bills.

However, charges for consultation and drugs have remained the same at M15.

The tariffs come after the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s call for the government of Lesotho to increase the levy for its public services to make up for the decline  in Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) revenue, which used to contribute about 60 percent to the national budget.

Last month the police department hiked charges for some of its paid services.

Finance Minister Timothy Thahane is expected to announce more hikes for different government services in his much anticipated budget speech tomorrow.

Tollgate fees have also been reviewed. 

People are going to pay M50 for death and birth certificates which used to cost M7.50.

Driving fitness certificates which used to cost M30 are going to cost M200.

Food handlers who used to pay M15 to acquire operating certificates will now have to pay M50.

Forensic postmortem reports which used to cost M60 will now cost M500.

Charges for medical examinations and certificates for students have been increased from M20 to M30.

The cost of medical certificates for people applying for insurances have been increased from M75 to M250 while licences for traditional healers have been increased from M20 to M200.

The registration and licencing of private clinics and pharmacies which used to be free will now cost M150.

The Ministry of Health will also rent out its auditorium for M2 500 per day.

An information officer in the health ministry ‘Mateboho Mosebeko refused to comment on the issue when contacted by the Sunday Express.