Sri Lanka has maintained a long history of successful vaccination programmes, and the Government will live up to this reputation in aiding the deployment of any potential Covid-19 vaccine, assured Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
Addressing the 31st Special Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, he further stated: “When introducing the Covid-19 vaccination programme, the Government will ensure public confidence is maintained.”
With Sri Lanka already included in the global COVAX Facility for Covid-19 vaccination, a co-ordination committee comprising experts from the Ministry of Health will work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) towards the implementation of a safer vaccine programme, he added.
He went on to note that Sri Lanka’s focus will be on eliminating Covid-19 within the country over the course of 2021.
Sri Lanka has been managing the spread of the disease through strict adherence to universal health precautions with a whole-of-government approach, targeting zero transmission, he stated, adding that Sri Lanka’s free universal healthcare facilities had helped curb the spread of the virus.
He explained that the Government has deployed a strategic plan based on 10 pillars aiming to deal with the pandemic while maintaining normalcy amongst the populace.
These 10 pillars comprise: national-level co-ordination, planning, and review; raising awareness of risks among the public and actively involving them in mitigation efforts; maintaining supervision, detection, and rapid response; monitoring ports of entry and inland transportation routes; strengthening the laboratory system; controlling and preventing the virus’ spread; expediting facilities to healthcare services; continuing essential health services; and ensuring social security and continued economic activity.
He went on to note that the Government has worked to address the pandemic’s socioeconomic impact through the provision of financial relief and dry rations to over six million families and vulnerable groups, and financial facilities to local businesses, as well as establishing a Covid-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund.
With regard to a potential vaccine, Minister Gunawardena elaborated that the Sri Lankan Government – following discussions with the WHO, the World Bank, and other funding sources – has secured funds to procure and improve equipment to maintain vaccine cold supply chains.
“As this virus transcends all national boundaries, the role of the United Nations is felt pivotally today. Sri Lanka reiterates the call of the UN Secretary General to make the Covid-19 vaccine a global public good – free and accessible to all,” he said.
Just as how Sri Lanka reiterated its support to the WHO’s extensive work, he stressed, all stakeholders must facilitate the WHO’s Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator, especially considering the repeated waves of the virus occurring in several countries.
Noting that developing countries require increased international funding and debt moratoriums to weather this crisis, he urged that middle-income countries (MICs) be given special attention, with Sri Lanka joining the UN Secretary General’s call to broaden eligibility for the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative and include MICs.
“As we finally pass through this pandemic, let us hope that in a post-pandemic era, through co-ordinated and collective action aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, we may build an inclusive and more resilient post-Covid world that is fairer and greener.”
With Sri Lanka already included in the global COVAX Facility for Covid-19 vaccination, a co-ordination committee comprising experts from the Ministry of Health will work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) towards the implementation of a safer vaccine programme, he added.
He went on to note that Sri Lanka’s focus will be on eliminating Covid-19 within the country over the course of 2021.
Sri Lanka has been managing the spread of the disease through strict adherence to universal health precautions with a whole-of-government approach, targeting zero transmission, he stated, adding that Sri Lanka’s free universal healthcare facilities had helped curb the spread of the virus.
He explained that the Government has deployed a strategic plan based on 10 pillars aiming to deal with the pandemic while maintaining normalcy amongst the populace.
These 10 pillars comprise: national-level co-ordination, planning, and review; raising awareness of risks among the public and actively involving them in mitigation efforts; maintaining supervision, detection, and rapid response; monitoring ports of entry and inland transportation routes; strengthening the laboratory system; controlling and preventing the virus’ spread; expediting facilities to healthcare services; continuing essential health services; and ensuring social security and continued economic activity.
He went on to note that the Government has worked to address the pandemic’s socioeconomic impact through the provision of financial relief and dry rations to over six million families and vulnerable groups, and financial facilities to local businesses, as well as establishing a Covid-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund.
With regard to a potential vaccine, Minister Gunawardena elaborated that the Sri Lankan Government – following discussions with the WHO, the World Bank, and other funding sources – has secured funds to procure and improve equipment to maintain vaccine cold supply chains.
“As this virus transcends all national boundaries, the role of the United Nations is felt pivotally today. Sri Lanka reiterates the call of the UN Secretary General to make the Covid-19 vaccine a global public good – free and accessible to all,” he said.
Just as how Sri Lanka reiterated its support to the WHO’s extensive work, he stressed, all stakeholders must facilitate the WHO’s Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator, especially considering the repeated waves of the virus occurring in several countries.
Noting that developing countries require increased international funding and debt moratoriums to weather this crisis, he urged that middle-income countries (MICs) be given special attention, with Sri Lanka joining the UN Secretary General’s call to broaden eligibility for the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative and include MICs.
“As we finally pass through this pandemic, let us hope that in a post-pandemic era, through co-ordinated and collective action aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, we may build an inclusive and more resilient post-Covid world that is fairer and greener.”