[ad_1]
The Philippines has urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to ensure that treatments for the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic are available to those countries that need it most.
“With a series of ongoing developments of Covid-19 vaccines around the world, we encourage ADB to take a leadership role in ensuring the accessibility of these treatments to those who need them most,” said Finance Secretary Carlos Domínguez 3rd, during the joint ministers of the Finance and Health Symposium held on Thursday.
The symposium, with the theme “Universal Health Coverage in Asia and the Pacific: Covid-19 and Beyond”, is part of the 53rd Annual Meeting of the ADB.
Domínguez urged the Manila-based multilateral lender to convene a working group with the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and other multilateral agencies to help developing member countries access the Covid-19 vaccines.
“The working group could establish a common information portal that will provide member countries with updates on the development of the Covid-19 vaccine,” he said.
The head of Finance added that the ADB should support the organization of
Covid-19 Vaccine Technical Working Groups or Task Forces and help provide member countries with advisory services and technical assistance on bilateral procurement and contract manufacturing agreements with vaccine suppliers.
It should also help package financial assistance to enable member countries to provide vaccines to their most impoverished and vulnerable populations.
Domínguez explained that financial support could be provided to private companies wishing to establish vaccine production facilities in member countries.
“A coordinated approach to the procurement of vaccines and the mobilization of financing for this purpose will greatly help developing countries restore vitality to their economies,” he concluded.
The ADB supported the Philippines in its fight against the pandemic through budget support and grants.
[ad_2]
