Of his three-minute speech at the WHO, former Minister Carlos Alvarado used less than 45 seconds to explain the country’s strategy against the covid-19 pandemic. He asserted that coronavirus cases are controlled thanks to the combination of a “successful campaign” that was applied to the population, referring to 7 + 7 and “awareness” about the disease.
The delegation of the administration of Nicolás Maduro, headed by former Minister of Health Carlos Alvarado, participated this May 25 in the 75th annual assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO). In his participation, the doctor justified the loss of his right to vote in that body due to the sanctions.
Until 2020, the amount that Venezuela owed to PAHO was more than 11 million dollars, including non-payments to the Revolving Fund for Vaccines. The Maduro administration did cancel last year just over 50% of the 120 million cost of joining the Covax mechanism, and they reached agreements with the institution to pay off the rest.
In January 2022 Venezuela’s right to vote in the United Nations General Assembly was suspended for the fifth time, also due to non-payment of almost 40 million dollars in contributions that the country must make.
From Geneva, former Minister Alvarado said that one of the factors that most threatens the health of the people is the coercive measures “illegally imposed” by the United States and European countries.
We were present at the #WAH75 presenting the successful COVID-19 Control Plan developed by the Bolivarian Government and demonstrating how unilateral coercive measures affect the right to health of the Venezuelan people.https://t.co/ZAde2Po8ID
– Carlos Alvarado (@AlvaradoC_Salud) May 24, 2022
“These measures classified as crimes against humanity have affected access to vaccines, medicines, medical supplies and equipment, laboratory equipment, altering indicators as sensitive as infant and maternal mortality and causing the reappearance of immunopreventive diseases,” said Alvarado, dismissed from office on February 9 after almost four years in the portfolio.
He recalled that Venezuela is a country with millions of dollars blocked “that it cannot use because the international financial system has become an accomplice of the so-called sanctions.” For this reason, they have not been able to honor commitments with this and other United Nations organizations.
The former minister said that Venezuela has blocked access to the PAHO Revolving Fund, despite the fact that that same institution guaranteed the shipment of vaccines, both for covid-19 and other diseases, during 2020 and 2021. But he did thank the Population Fund of the UN, Red Cross and Unicef for the “consensus actions” to guarantee medical supplies in the country.
Of his three minutes of speech, he used less than 45 seconds to explain the country’s strategy against the covid-19 pandemic. He asserted that coronavirus cases are controlled thanks to the combination of a “successful campaign” that was applied to the population, referring to 7 + 7 and “awareness” about the disease.
*Also read: Venezuela reported 523,411 cases in total 800 days after the start of the covid-19 pandemic
He also said that more than 90% of the population has received two or more doses of vaccines against covid-19, despite the fact that the data reported by the Venezuelan Ministry of Health to PAHO –updated as of May 20- point out that only 49.8% of the population has completed the two-dose regimen.
“We are still campaigning to improve vaccination,” said the official.
Lobbying at the WHO
The right to speak at the annual assembly was not the only objective of Maduro’s delegation to the WHO. Carlos Alvarado managed a few brief words and a photo with the re-elected doctor Tedros Adhanomto whom he thanked “his actions at the head of this important health instance in times of pandemic.”
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela congratulates Dr. Tedros Adhanom (@DrTedros) for his recent re-election as Director General of the WHO and appreciates his actions at the head of this important health instance in times of pandemic.#WHA75 pic.twitter.com/7q4oMwKTAX
– Carlos Alvarado (@AlvaradoC_Salud) May 24, 2022
With the rest of the delegation, which also includes Ambassador Héctor Constant, held a meeting of cooperation with the delegation of the Russian Federation, represented by Deputy Ministers Sergey Glagolev and Alexandra Dronova.
While “at the request of the Minister of Health of Uruguay”, they met with that country to “visualize possible paths of common action, particularly within PAHO/WHOfor greater social benefit. A similar conversation took place with representatives from Panama.
Together with the Delegation of Panama, Venezuela expressed its interests and the importance of preserving diversity and respect within the regional unit. Panamanian authorities recognized the need to address common issues with dialogue and empathy. pic.twitter.com/8UYZwxgXCM
— Hector Constant Rosales (@h_constant) May 25, 2022
The Venezuelan delegation also endorsed a resolution recognizing the impact of the Israeli occupation on the health system of Palestine. “We condemn obstacles imposed by Israel that hinder access to vaccines and medical supplies and equipment,” Ambassador Constant said on Twitter.
Together with the Delegation of Panama, Venezuela expressed its interests and the importance of preserving diversity and respect within the regional unit. Panamanian authorities recognized the need to address common issues with dialogue and empathy. pic.twitter.com/8UYZwxgXCM
— Hector Constant Rosales (@h_constant) May 25, 2022
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