THE Ministry of Health and Sports and the World Bank organized a virtual meeting on the purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine yesterday.

During the meeting, Ms Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, said that although it was not known yet which vaccines to be used, arrangements relating to the purchase, transportation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines were to be reported.

Mr Paul Jacob Robyn, Senior Health Specialist at the World Bank, said that additional fund of US$60 million from IDA 19 had been allocated for the purchase, transport and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine in Myanmar.

Myanmar was included in the member countries of CO VAX facility offering fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, Myanmar can purchase vaccine via COVAX facility by adding funds, and can apply for loan from World Bank if the vaccines for more than 20 per cent of the population are purchased, he said.

He also detailed the requirements for the purchase of the coronavirus vaccines.

Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe expressed thanks for World Bank for the assistance in Myanmar’s health sector and COVID-19 response processes.

The ministry is cooperating with the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry and the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations on the international loan plans.

National-Level Central Committee on COVID-19 Prevention, Control and Treatment will give the decision for the purchase of the vaccine.

Myanmar is included in the 92 member countries of COVAX mechanism that will get the vaccine for 20 per cent of the each country’s population free of charge or at lower price.

Officials from the Ministry of Health and Sports and the World Bank participated in the meeting.

MNA

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

PHOTO: MNA

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