Bagus worry over underfunded Dowa in the COVID-19 fight

Minister of Trade and Industry, Salim Bagus has expressed worry over the budget that was allocated to Dowa District for efforts towards Coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention, saying the district has high population and needs more resources.

Dowa District was allocated K30 million for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. The minister said comparing with other districts, the money was on the lower side.

Briefing Dowa District Coronavirus response committee, the minister, who is a member of special cabinet committee on COVID-19, commended the district team for progress made on the preparedness.

“The allocated budget is really on the lower side, in case they have COVID-19 patients here they will face problems,” said Bagus.

He noted that the main problem the district faces is inadequate Personal Protective Equipment for health workers.

Currently, the district’s population stands close to 800,000 and in addition, the district hosts not less than 49,000 refugees at Dzaleka Refugees Camp.