Health Minister Dr Duane Sands.
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands has revealed the Ministry of Health has requested a million dollars to combat the novel coronavirus.
The United States is starting to increase its funding for virus preparedness. American media reported the Trump administration was seeking $2.5 billion from Congress to prepare for a possible nationwide outbreak, while the Senate Democrats have made a request for $8.5 billion.
When asked about local funding to fight the virus, Dr Sands said: “I think we’ve asked for a million dollars.”
However, the Bahamas National Reference Laboratory’s new coronavirus testing capacity is at no cost, as the minister noted the testing kits were given by Pan American Health Organisation. Read more >>