As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, developing nations are continuing to face the worst due to the inaccessibility of Vaccines to their country. Their financial standing is a limitation, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has said.
He is calling on United Nations to quickly facilitate a summit that will focus on the equitable distribution of vaccines.
These remarks came at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) special high-level meeting, which focused on the pandemic and the need for “A Vaccine for All”.
ECOSOC is said to be the heart of the United Nations system to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social, and environmental. It is the central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals.
With calls made by various Heads and Bodies, including CARICOM for the equable distribution of Vaccines on numerous occasions, Minister Anthony emphasized the need for a Summit to be held to critically address the need, especially with developing nations.
“We wish to highlight the imperative for enhanced international cooperation and reiterate our call for a global summit to urgently address equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines particularly for developing countries.” Minister Anthony insisted.
Minister Anthony added that as “we look forward to posting COVID-19 world, we must consider this need, as cooperation with countries is of paramount importance.”
With most of the developed nations continuing to buy up most of the vaccines, developing nations are finding it difficult to have access to a large number of vaccines knowing the demand and their difficulties to finance position. As such, it is of the belief that most of the vaccines produced are bought by developed nations leaving the developing nation to access what is left.
The fact that developing countries are finding it even difficult to deal with the COVID-19 Virus due to an inability to even have to right medical equipment to deal with the virus.
Along with already depleted medical supplies, there is that fear that those countries will soon feel the wrath of the virus knowing that they don’t have enough vaccines to fight the virus. Minister Anthony called also for equitable distribution of the vaccine.
“Caricom remains concerned about the inequitable access and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine globally. Our small developing states continue to experience the devastating health and economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“As a result of the lockdown measures, countries are suffering from supply chain disruption, a sharp decline in remittances, and a general decrease in the travel trade and other economic activities.
“Against this backdrop, we reiterate our call for global access to vaccines in order to lessen the impact of the pandemic to protect our citizens and to bolters our economy.”
He said unless safe and effective vaccines are made available, that are affordable and accessible the developing nations will continue to suffer.
With such developments, many countries along with Guyana have been calling for equitable distribution of the vaccine in order for the entire world to move simultaneously in recovering from the pandemic.
