KUALA LUMPUR – The government has proposed raising the ceiling of the newly established Covid-19 Group Fund by RM20 billion for next year.
During the tabling of the Budget 2021 today, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abd Aziz said the ceiling for the Covid-19 Group Fund under the Temporary Measures for Government Financing [Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19)] 2020 is proposed to be raised from the previously approved RM45 billion, to RM65 billion.
"The main purpose is to fund the Kita Prihatin (stimulis) package, with additional assistance for the well-being of the people, frontliner needs and procurement of future vaccination. I hope the Honourable Members (of parliament) would support this proposal together," he said
The government, he said, will also allocate an additional RM1 billion to help tackle the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among others, RM475 million was for the purchase of re-agent supplies, screening kits, and consumables, specifically for the Health Ministry.
Another RM318 million was for the provision of PPE equipment and hand sanitizers for ministry frontliners. He said RM150 million would go to the National Disaster Management Agency in coordinating efforts to combat Covid-19.
Additionally, RM50 million was meant for the procurement of equipment, laboratory test supplies, and medicines at University Training Hospitals.
Tengku Zafrul said the overall allocation included dental facility operating equipment, virtual clinic services as well as the provision of screening zones and thermometers in health facilities to meet standard operating procedures. – The Vibes, November 6, 2020
