KAMPALA – The Ministry of Health is seeking additional Shs700b towards the fight against COVID-19.
This was said by the Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on National Economy to defend government’s proposal where it is seeking Parliament’s approval to borrow $300 million from the World Bank.
The money, according to the minister, is intended to provide sufficient resources to the health sector and mitigate the negative effects of COVID-19 on the economy.
Aceng informed Parliament that the Ministry requires funding to a tune of Shs1 trillion to combat COVID-19 between March to September 2020 but at the moment, only Shs300B is available, leaving the Ministry grappling with Shs700b deficit.
“The total budget that we require between March to September 2020 to manage COVID-19 is Shs1 trillion and if you look carefully, the highest pillars are logistics and laboratory and that covers for Personal Protective Equipment and test kits. The money which we have committed is Shs322,378,669Mn which is a contribution from Government of Uganda and partners,” said Aceng.
She said that out of the $300 million Government plans to borrow from the World Bank, the Ministry of Health will only receive Shs35b which is going to be used to procure masks.
Aceng has also informed MPs that the Ministry has procured 38 ambulances at the cost of Shs11 billion and that there are plan to set up non-residential buildings at cost of Shs500b that will act as a quarantine center.
