Lira Task Force Seeks UGX 645m to Fight COVID-19

The COVID-19 Task Force in Lira is seeking to raise 645 million Shillings to facilitate the different activities aimed at controlling the spread of the deadly virus.

The funding is needed to implement COVID-19 control measures for six months beginning July to December 2021. It will cover costs for coordination and leadership, case management, Infection Control and Prevention, Surveillance and contact tracing, mental health, and psychosocial support as well as Risk Communication and Social Mobilization.

Up to 108 million Shillings has been budgeted for coordination and leadership, 203 million Shillings for infection control and prevention, and 45 million Shillings budgeted for case Management which will include deployment of health workers to institute medical management of patients under home-based care and others. It will also cater for mental health and psycho-social support.

At least nine million Shillings is needed to enforce surveillance and contact tracing whereas Risk Communication and Social Mobilization which include sensitization using mobile vans and radio talk shows and spot messages has been allocated 279 million Shillings.

Bernard Otucu, the Principal Health Officer says that the money will be raised through both cash and in-kind donations and  called on the business community, well-wishers and non-government organisations within the district to support the initiatives and ensure that the budget is achieved.

James Chemutai, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Lira advised the task force to exercise transparency by availing copies of the budget and plan to whoever they are asking to donate.

However, Sam Atul, the Lira City mayor who is also a member of the task force urged members of the general community of the Lango sub-region to donate in order to help the task force to do their job. He said an account would be opened to ensure that all cash donations are channelled through the same.