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Citizen reporter
Image for illustration. Hopes for a vaccine against the virus have helped drive equity markets higher. AFP / Archive / EVA HAMBACH
South Africa had missed the initial deadline to make the payment last week and was given until December 22 to make the payment.
The Health Department and the Solidarity Fund have made an initial payment of $ 19.2 million (R283 million) to GAVI to guarantee the country’s entry into the Covax facility of the World Health Organization.
The initial payment represents 15% of the total cost of ensuring access to vaccines for 10% (approximately six million) of the population. The country’s membership in the Covax Facility ensures that South Africa receives its fair share of the vaccine once it is available.
The country had missed the initial deadline to make the payment last week and was given until Tuesday, December 22, to make the payment.
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Gloria Serobe, president of the Solidarity Fund, said the payment was made in accordance with the fund’s previous allocation of funds and a commitment to support government efforts to accelerate the launch of vaccines in South Africa.
“There is no doubt that a Covid-19 vaccine will play an important role in helping South Africa control the virus. The Solidarity Fund was created for exactly this purpose: to contribute to the work of the government and to assist in the initiatives and programs that have the greatest impact in the fight against the pandemic. The fund is grateful to be in a position to help at this crucial time, ”said Serobe.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said: “It is a privilege to oversee a process that has brought together government, international partners and businesses for the sole purpose of providing quality health care to the people of South Africa. This is what we have been advocating for when we speak of multisectoral collaboration and it is gratifying to see this spirit being harnessed for the good of our people, Africans and the global village.
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“We convey our sincere appreciation to the Solidarity Fund for its unwavering support to the government to ensure that no one is left behind as we seek to protect our most vulnerable citizens against the scourge of Covid-19.”
Collaboration with the Covax Facility will continue as the country intensifies its efforts to implement systems that strengthen logistics requirements to reach identified populations.
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