Budget Committee approves Health Ministry’s Shs.18.5 Billion for purchase of COVID-19 Vaccines

Budget Committee of Parliament has approved Shs 18.5 Billion to cater for the purchase of the COVID-19 vaccines.

The committee’s Deputy Chairperson Hon Patrick Isiagi made the announcement on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, while presenting the report of the on the supplementary expenditure schedule 4 and addendum 1&2 for fiscal year 2020/22.

He told the house that his committee was informed that the Ministry of Health has ordered for 18 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from Serum Institute India for vaccinating 20% of the population at a cost of USD 161.5 million

But, a down payment of USD 5 million is required to confirm the order.

Isiagi told the house that his committee was informed that as soon as the down payment is made, Ministry of Health will be given a delivery schedule beginning end of this month.

Meanwhile, the budget committee has also recommended he approval of Shs 34.6 billion to the Health ministry for purchase of ambulances for each district rather than pickups which are prone to abuse. The money will also help with construction of two border health posts at Vurra and Cyanika, as well as construction of phase 1 of 2 blood banks at Soroti and Arua as directed by the President.