Uganda Receives $1Million from Denmark to Fight Covid-19

The Danish Embassy in Uganda has extended additional financial support of 1 million dollars through World Health Organization (WHO) to the Ministry of Health to support COVID-19 response.

The funding agreement was witnessed by Ugandan Minister of Health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, WHO country representative to Uganda Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam and Danish Ambassador to Uganda Nicolaj Petersen himself at the Ministry of Health headquarters on Wednesday.

“This grant will be instrumental in procuring test kits and additional PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for the frontline health workers,” Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng announced on Wednesday.

She added, “On behalf of Government of Uganda and National Task Force, I deeply appreciate the Government of Denmark and WHO for support and steadfast partnership in the COVID-19 response.”

The Ministry announced that Uganda has a great need for test kits adding that the grant comes as a boost to the county’s testing capacity.

While giving the nation accountability for COVID-19 funds given to Ministry of Health to fight the pandemic, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine on Sunday 21st June 2020 said 6.3 billion shillings had been spent on procuring test kits.

Atwine dismissed rumours that huge sums of money meant for COVID-19 response had been embezzled.

“The laboratory tests has been a subject of discussion; I think now everyone is alert. We have not stolen even a single coin. Ugandans listening to us, for us we are driven by passion to serve. We are driven by commitment and inner values that we stand for. We cannot and will never steal any Government money because we know that money is a curse. You steal Government money that is meat to support the vulnerable, that is a curse,” said Atwine.

She announced that some Organisations and philanthropist donated test kits to Uganda.

World Health Organization (WHO) donated 76,528 test kits, Chinese billionaire Jack Ma donated 35,700, NSSF donated 10,000 while Ministry of Health using Islamic Bank will through National Medical Stores (NMS) purchase 35,000 test kits.

 MASKS

Meanwhile, the Ministry announced that to date, 2,220,601 face masks have been distributed to 8 districts of Amuru, Kyotera, Busia, Adjumani, Isingiro, Rakai and Moyo.

In a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, President Museveni ordered every Uganda above the age of 6 years to wear a mask while in public.

As a result, Government promised to provide every Ugandan above the age of 6 years with a free face mask beginning with border districts.

The first Deputy Prime Minister Gen Moses Ali on 10th June 2020 launched mass distribution of masks at the Ministry of Health.

Currently, Uganda has a total of 805 COVID-19 confirmed cases, 717 recoveries and no fatalities.