Venezuela has a debt that prevents him from purchasing vaccines through PAHO, the office of the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), an agency official said Wednesday.
“Venezuela’s debt with the vaccine revolving fund still stands. There was no payment (…) and therefore, it has not been possible for the country to make new purchase orders,” Ciro Ugarte said at a virtual press conference. , director of PAHO Health Emergencies.
Ugarte specified that this refers to Venezuela’s regular immunization program, but did not answer the question of how much the debt amounts to.
The Pan American Health Organization (OPS) also did not immediately respond to a request from AFP about the amount owed by Venezuela.
Ugarte stressed the importance of having enough doses for Venezuela’s regular vaccination program and said that has been a top priority in the talks.
“We hope that in the coming weeks or months we will have a good result from these negotiations and dialogue,” he said.
“And I also hope that (…) Venezuela can pay this debt to increase vaccination levels, because coverage for many of these vaccines is unfortunately low,” he added.
Established in 1979, the PAHO Revolving Fund allows countries in the region to access quality and safe vaccines at an affordable price.
According to Ugarte, “it is one of the best mechanisms in the world to provide safe and effective vaccines to countries.”
kg
