$38m Earmarked for Covid-19 Vaccine in New Budget Bill

The government has estimated 10 trillion rials ($38.46 million) for the procurement of coronavirus vaccine in the budget bill of the next fiscal year (March 2021-22), an official with Plan and Budget Organization and spokesperson of Budget 1400 Headquarters said. 
“The Health Ministry will see its annual spending package increase by 138% to reach 770 trillion rials [$2.96 billion] next year from the current year’s 320 trillion rials [$1.23 billion],” Mojgan Khanlou was also quoted as saying by IRNA.
Noting that an average 150% wage growth is projected for health workers next year, the official said, “As per the bill proposed by the government, health sector’s resources from the value added tax earnings will increase by 22% to reach 90 trillion rials [$346.15 million]. Resources earmarked for the procurement of pharmaceuticals, vaccine and baby formula will rise 61% to reach 36.85 trillion rials [$141.73 million]. The government has estimated 10 trillion rials [$38.46 million] for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccine.”