Over $30bn needed to develop COVID-19 tests, treatments, vaccines ― WHO Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/06/over-30bn-needed-to-develop-covid-19-tests-treatments-vaccines-%e2%80%95-who/

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Friday that a global initiative to speed up the development and production of COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments will require more than $30 billion over the next year. Providing details of the so-called ACT accelerator, launched in April and aimed at pooling international resources to conquer the pandemic, WHO said “the costed plans presented today call for $31.3 billion in funding.” So far, $3.4 billion of that had been pledged, it said, pointing out that an additional $27.9 billion was needed over the next 12 months, including nearly $14 billion to cover immediate needs. The announcement came ahead of a major pledging event in Brussels in support of the ACT accelerator, set to take place on Saturday. “This is an investment worth making,” Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a special envoy for the ACT accelerator, told a virtual briefing. “If we don’t rally now, the human costs and the economic pain will deepen,” she said. “Though these numbers sound big, they are not when we think of the alternative. If we spend billions now, we will be able to avoid spending trillions later. “The time to act is now, and the way to act is together.” ALSO READ: COVID-19: WHO approves use of dexamethasone for critically-ill patients Okonjo-Iweala’s comments came as the world counts nearly 490,000 deaths from COVID-19 and over 9.6 million cases since the new coronavirus emerged in China late last year, according to an AFP tally from official sources. The funds requested should make it possible to deliver 500 million tests and 245 million courses of treatment to low and middle-income countries by mid-2021. They also aim to deliver two billion vaccine doses by the end of next year, of which half will go to low and middle-income nations. “It’s clear that to bring COVID-19 under control, and to save lives, we need effective vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, in unprecedented quantities and at unprecedented speed,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the briefing. Separate teams are racing to roll out reliable tests, find safe and effective vaccines and treatments for the novel coronavirus, and prepare for large-scale manufacturing. Tedros meanwhile stressed that a core principle of the initiative is to ensure equal access for all. “Vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics are vital tools,” he said. “But to be truly effective they must be administered with another essential ingredient, which is solidarity.” [AFP] Vanguard News Nigeria. Kindly Share This Story:FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppPinterestShare Related Contributions to UN COVID-19 plans hit $1bn — Deputy Chief April 27, 2020 UK prime minister set to host global vaccine summit 4 June June 2, 2020 COVID-19: Bill & Milinda Gates expands commitment to response with additional $150m April 18, 2020 All rights reserved. This material and any other digital content on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from VANGUARD NEWS. Download Vanguard News App.   Technical Feedback: whatsapp 08023469027   READ our Privacy-policy and cookie policy. READ ALSO: Secret relationship is a fraud - Mandy Ujunwa Vanguard PROMOTED Ajimobi, a detribalised leader, pillar of national development ― Ganduje Veteran Nollywood actress, Bose ‘Madam Tinubu’ Adewoyin, is dead Ready to make money? Register and see how much you can make now! ProfitExperts Edo 2020: Why I stepped down from PDP guber race — Imansuagbon Earn $9342 Per Month With Amazon Shares, $200 Minimum Investment, Get A Call Today! Invest Stocks A genius from Nigeria found a way to eliminate bad breath forever! Read! Detox Bill Gates: "This Will Change The Way People Earn Money In Nigeria" ProfitExperts RASHEED SOBOWALE View all posts by Rasheed Sobowale → PREVIOUS POST Ajimobi, most prolific politician in Nigeria — Ajanaku NEXT POST US rapper Huey killed in double shooting Disclaimer Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/06/over-30bn-needed-to-develop-covid-19-tests-treatments-vaccines-%e2%80%95-who/