The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine has said that government will not be able to procure and distribute over 30 million facemasks to each Ugandan above the age of six on time.
According to Atwine, it will take at least one month for government to produce and distribute the facemasks due to delays in procuring. She advised those who can afford to buy their own masks as it is mandatory for everyone in public to have a mask.
However, Atwine revealed that the first batch of government masks will be distributed around border districts because they have been identified as high risk areas for contracting and spreading the virus.
Last week, the Health Ministry issued guidelines on the use of face masks. The Minister, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng said there are currently only two types of masks on the market; medical masks and non-medical masks.
The Minister advised the community to use the non-medical masks made out of fabric preferably cotton. She said medical masks are preserved for medical workers and are not reusable.