A total of $300 million has been approved for drugs and medical supplies to be provided to Region One (Barima-Waini), as part of the wider $4.4 billion allocation approved for the region.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall, who defended the budgetary allocation during the consideration of the budget estimates on Wednesday, said that this allocation will allow residents to get much-needed supplies.
Later, he said that allocation for the health sector in Region One is geared at ensuring that residents benefit from “elevated” services. A sum of $14 million has also been approved for the maintenance of equipment needed for the provision of health services.
In total, $1.6 billion has been allocated for health services in the region. In addition to this sum, $2 billion has been allocated for education delivery, $651 million for public works and $46 million for agriculture.
These sums, coupled with the $306 million allocation for regional administration and finance, form the overall $4.4 billion allocation for Region One in the 2022 National Budget.
Later on Wednesday, the estimates for each of the remaining administrative regions will be examined before a vote for approval is done.
