About ninety four billion Shillings supplementary budget recently provided to the Ministry of Health has been largely committed to the procurement of ambulances, Intensive Care Unit equipment, and test kits.
The money is
part of the 304 billion Shillings Supplementary Budget that was approved by
parliament on April 4, 2020 to facilitate the COVID-19 response in different
sectors.
The Ministry of Health has committed 11 billion Shillings of its share
towards the purchase of 38 ambulances while 42 billion was reserved for the
procurement of ICU equipment for the different regional referral hospitals.
Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health says that the ambulances and ICU
equipment are expected in June. As another 500 million Shillings is already
committed towards non-residential buildings which the Ministry is going to
refurbish at the regional referrals to house the ICU equipment.
According to Dr. Aceng, the rest of the money has been committed for purchasing furniture worth 300 million Shillings, test kits worth 10 billion shillings, medical supplies worth 8 billion Shillings among others.
The Minister was appearing before the National Economy committee together with the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary and other officials. Dr. Aceng speaking……
The MPs also demanded information on the ambulances being procured and where they are going to be stationed.
Ruhinda North MP Thomas Tayebwa and Tororo South MP Fredrick Angura appealed to the Health Ministry to pay more attention to the border districts saying that these are likely to determine Uganda’s fate in regard to Covid-19 pandemic. END