PM stresses access to COVID-19 vaccines

Kathmandu, Dec. 4

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has underlined the necessity of universal access to COVID-19 vaccines, once they are available.

"They must be truly global public goods and cannot be the means of maximising profit," he said while addressing the general debate of the '31^st Special Session of the UN General Assembly in response to COVID-19 Pandemic' through a pre-recorded video on Thursday.

 He further stressed the need of global solidarity and cooperation to tackle the pressing challenges such as poverty, hunger, rising inequality, climate crisis and global pandemic.

Prime Minister Oli called for the genuine collective commitment to fend off the crisis, save lives, and protect societies, according a statement issued by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations, New York.                        

 

He shared with the Assembly the pandemic response of the Government of Nepal aimed at protecting people’s lives, strengthening health care system, and building a sustainable and resilient recovery.

 

The Prime Minister stated that testing and treatment services were provided free of charge to the needy people; and necessary infrastructures, human and financial resources, and medical equipment were ensured to the health systems in federal, provincial, and local levels.

 

“Beginning from almost none, we extended PCR testing facility to 68 laboratories across the country. We developed a total of 48 COVID-19 related Protocols and Guidelines. We are moving ahead with the target of building hospitals with basic health care facilities in all 753 local levels,” he said.

 

He emphasised the need of greater support for the countries in special situation to help them stabilize their economy, safeguard fiscal space, and tackle debt crisis.

He further said that the pandemic should not be used as a pretext for backtracking from international solidarity and commitments. 

 

He underscored the necessity to align the rebuilding efforts with the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement, with more investment in health care and social protection, infrastructure, and creation of jobs.

 

A total of 155 leaders, including 37 Heads of State and 39 Heads of Government are scheduled to address the Special Session.

The two-day Special Session, being held under the theme of COVID-19 Pandemic, will conclude tomorrow.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 December 2020.