The Ministry of Health wants an additional Shs700bn towards the fight against COVID-19 in Uganda.
This was revealed by Health Minister, Jane Ruth Aceng (pictured) while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on National Economy to defend government’s proposal where it is seeking Parliament’s approval to borrow USD300 (about Shs1.136 trillion) from the World Bank to provide sufficient resources to the health sector and mitigate the negative effects of COVID-19 on the economy.
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Aceng informed MPs that the Ministry of Health requires funding to a tune of Shs1Trn to combat COVID-19 between March and September 2020, but at the moment only Shs300bn is available, leaving the Ministry grappling with Shs700bn deficit.
“The total budget that we require between March to September 2020 to manage COVID-19 is Shs1Trn 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 Shs322.37bn which is a contribution from Government of Uganda and partners,” Aceng said.
The Minister explained that out of the USD300 million Government plans to borrow from the World Bank, the Ministry of Health will only receive Shs35bn which is going to be used to procure masks.
She also informed MPs that the Ministry of Health has procured 38 ambulances at the cost of Shs11bn and there are plans to set up non-residential buildings at cost of Shs500bn that will act as a quarantine centers.
