By Prossy Kisakye
Cabinet has approved the proposal to borrow up to $31.6m about shs115 billion from the African Development Fund to finance revenue shortfalls to strengthen the Covid-19 outbreak response mechanisms and mitigate the social and economic impacts of the pandemic preparedness.
According to the minister of ICT and National Guidance Judith Nabakooba, the funds will be used to scale up laboratory testing capacity and diagnosis by at least 5% through provision of testing kits, consumables and accessories, to strengthen and increase the current ICU capacity with at least an additional 140 ICU beds equally distributed in the 14 Regional Referral Hospitals.
The funds will also be used to strengthen infection prevention and control measures and areas of mass gatherings including the borders and Entebbe International Airport, through provision of adequate and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment.
