The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that the equitable distribution of equipment and medicines to fight Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the only way out of the global pandemic.
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-general of the UN Health agency made the remarks on Tuesday July 6, while briefing the (ACT) Accelerator Facilitation Council. The Council, co-chaired by Norway and South Africa, provides guidance and advice to facilitate the work of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, launched last April to fight the new disease.
Ghebreyesus stated that although countries had made progress in controlling the virus, the pandemic was still dangerous
“Our only way out is to support countries in the equitable distribution Editedsonal Protective Equipment (PPE), tests, treatments, and vaccines.
“It is not rocket science, nor charity. “It is smart public health and in everyone’s best interest,” he said.
Countries that are now able to open up, “are those that have largely controlled the supply of lifesaving of PPE, tests, oxygen, and especially vaccines.“Meanwhile, countries without access to sufficient supplies are facing waves of hospitalizations and death.“This is being compounded by virus variants,’’ he said.
WHO together with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation are working to find practical ways to track, coordinate and advance vaccine deliveries to low and middle-income countries.
