The ministry of health needs Shs 25 billion to increase its preparedness for any future eventuality of covid-19 entering the country.
Dr Allan Muruta, the commissioner in charge of Epidemiology Surveillance and Public Health Emergencies at the ministry of health says that the ministry has started the procurement process for the money while it involves in other activities that are mostly non-monetary.
Muruta says the ministry has started encouraging the passing out of sensitization messages through various platforms like the inter-religious council meant for church and mosque gatherings and the media.
The Public awareness messages address the issues of hanging in crowded places, not hugging or shaking hands and also encourage proper handwashing practices and hygiene as a way of the disease at bay.
Among other preventative measures, the ministry continues the screening, limiting public assemblies and encouraging the public to be more vigilant and self-quarantine in case they identify signs and symptoms of the virus.
Besides the above, two isolation centers have been opened one at Entebbe referral hospital and the other in Kampala at Naguru General Hospital with a total bed capacity of 15 people to handle any cases that might arise.
The government has also issued a travel advisory to all Ugandan nationals advising them not to travel to China.
Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tunisia have reported cases of coronavirus but these cases all point back to nationals from Italy and France.
WHO estimates that over 93,000 people have so far been infected with the diseases in more than 76 countries.
The number of new cases in China has reduced but around the world, they seem to be increasing with 120 and 2103 new infections respectively.
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
Symptoms of fever, cough, flu , shortness of breath may appear between 2-14 days after exposure.
