Rwanda gets one million Covid-19 jabs from Sweden | New Times
Rwanda has received one million covid-19 vaccines from the Swedish government, a move that is said to strengthen the country’s vaccination campaign.
Moderna-jabbarna was received by Tharcisse Mpunga, Prime Minister with responsibility for primary care at the Ministry of Health from Sweden’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Johanna Teague.
Minister Mpunga, after a handover ceremony held in the special economic zone, told the media that the doses come at a critical moment when the Rwandan government is working to achieve the global goal of vaccinating 70 percent of its population by 2022.
“It comes at a time when we are celebrating the success of 30 percent of our fully vaccinated population, this is a great achievement. It has only been possible through different frameworks and partnerships,” he said.
Ambassador Teague stressed the importance of vaccinating at a time when the current ineffective and unequal distribution of vaccines on a global stage is “deeply worrying.”
“We commend the Rwandan Government’s determined and effective response to the pandemic, one of the reasons why we chose Rwanda in addition to our strong relations,” she added. . “
Teague said she was convinced that Rwanda had shown incredible commitment and efficiency in vaccinating its population.
“So I commend the leadership and the great efforts not only to come together to speed up vaccinations in Rwanda, but also to establish a hub for vaccine production.”
“Rwanda has come a long way in reaching the population, I am convinced that your pace and your success with vaccine administration will continue,” she added.
In addition to Rwanda being the first country to benefit from a bilateral donation from its government, Teague emphasized that Sweden has so far given almost $ 300 million to Covax, making it the world’s leading Covax contributor per capita.
As a comment on future cooperation between the two countries, Mpunga appealed to the Swedish ambassador for support, especially in the capacity building and training of Rwandans to establish the expected vaccine hub.
“We hope that this is the start of a broader collaboration in the health sector and even outside, we believe we will also have a discussion about vaccine manufacturing in the country, you already have expertise in this area,” said Mpunga.
To this the envoy replied; “Count on us there.”
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