Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for ‘rapid invention’ of newer vaccines to protect mankind from the pandemics like coronavirus (COVID-19), saying that vaccination has proved to be one of the most important means to combat contagious diseases.
The present COVID-19 pandemic proved how really powerless we are in the face of any global calamity. It also reminded us of the old saying that prevention is always better than cure, she told the virtual Global Vaccine Summit 2020 held in the United Kingdom on Thursday (June 4).
Citing the United Nations, Sheikh Hasina said one new infectious disease emerges in humans every four months and the Global Virome Project estimated that there are about 7 hundred thousand viruses which are capable of causing pandemics. Many of them may pose existential threat to the whole human race. So, the current and newer vaccines will be needed for the survival of the humans, the Premier said adding vaccination has proved to be one of most important means to combat infectious disease.
The prime minister in this connection sought the assistance of the GAVI Alliance (formerly known as Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization). GAVI Alliance can provide us with the best support in this battle and they will continue to do so if we let them do it, she said.
The UK is hosting the Global Vaccine Summit, bringing together leaders from governments, foundations, the private sector and civil society and it marks 20 years since the GAVI was founded.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that since its inception in 2000, GAVI has helped immunize over 76 crore million people against the deadly diseases vaccinated thirty crore children across the world.
The Premier continued, so, it is not only I, the whole world is waiting to hear from you in support of GAVI. Sheikh Hasina said there could not have been a better time than today to meet to support the causes of vaccination when the world is frantically searching for an effective vaccine to fight COVID-19.
I am delighted to be with you today to be a partner of the initiative which has saved lives of millions of children and pregnant mothers, she said.
The Prime Minister said in this journey, GAVI has been a ‘time-tested partner’
Sheikh Hasina also said the government is studying establishment of a unique digital identity for health services in partnership with ID2020, GAVI and the a2i program.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is hosting 11 lakh ‘Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals’ at a great financial, social and environmental cost.
Our health officials and workers from international organizations are working to limit the number of COVID-19 cases in the Rohingya camps, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said only 5 cases were detected till last month in the most densely populated (Rohingya) camps in the world.
US President Donald Trump, Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, UN Secretary General António Guterres, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as well as leaders and representatives of different countries and international organizations also spoke at the event.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates delivered the keynote speeches, while Chair of GAVI Board Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala gave the closing address.