Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokharel has requested the United Nations to make vaccine against COVID-19 available as soon as possible.
In a telephone conversation with UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal Sarah Beslo Nyanti on Friday, Pokharel urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to facilitate the the Covaxin vaccine to Nepal as soon as possible.
“Vaccination is the only way to prevent the spread of the virus, so Nepal expects the United Nations to facilitate the vaccination of covaxin,” Pokhrel urged. Nepal expects assistance in the areas of medicine, vaccines and vaccine-related materials, infrastructure required for the establishment of temporary hospitals and the necessary expert manpower, he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Pokharel informed that the Government of Nepal is taking diplomatic initiative to provide vaccination facility to Nepalis. “We believe that the vaccine against corona is a matter of public interest to the citizens of the world, and that the solidarity of the country should not affect human solidarity,” he said.
In response, UN Coordinator in Nepal Sara expressed her commitment to help bring the vaccine as much as possible. She also expressed her desire to meet Deputy Prime Minister Pokharel soon to discuss the need for assistance.