Calls for simplified process
By Emmanuel Elebeke
The Federal government has faulted the led-down procedure and processes for access to the COVID-19 vaccine and delivery.
The minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, made the observation in view of the financing of COVID-19 vaccines for Africa and the approach to addressing vaccine access, delivery and uptake in the continent, saying that the process has been difficult to navigate.
Speaking at a virtual meeting recently, she raised issues on the modalities, saying: “What exactly are the existing mechanisms for countries to access? We have had bits and pieces of information. But to date, this has not been as coordinated as hoped.
From her Ministry’s perspective, she also said: “Understanding the urgency of the moment, there needs to be greater inclusion and involvement of Finance Ministers, as budgetary allocations need to be made and financing secured both locally and possibly internationally.”
Against the backdrop of real-time challenges in preparing for receipt of COVID-19 vaccines, roll out, and the real-time information and funding gaps, Ahmed urged that access to vaccine financing should be simplified, and an act of global solidarity should be to support Finance Ministries with the necessary capacity required to complete what could often be a complex and laborious bureaucratic process.
Ahmed called for proposals from banks on how countries could access finance mechanisms and support from other sources to help Ministries of Finance to easily and quickly apply for such funding, because, according to her, funding needs to be flexible to support purchase or delivery (health systems) and possible corporate social responsibility (CSR) from banks.
Collectively, the participants at the meeting had said that they were very grateful for the proposed over 20 percent COVAX donation to low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
“But we need to fully protect our populations and…
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