The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) handed over two refrigerated vans and essential medical supplies to the Ministry of Health, today. This is to support the government’s preparedness in rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine.
The vans will be used in the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines and also support the cold chain system for regular immunisation programme.
The ADB’s Technical Assistance also commits to delivering eight walk-in coolers, a walk-in freezer, two bio-medical repair vans and two ultra-cold rooms to support the country’s COVID-19 response.
According to a Joint Press Release, the current support supplements ADB’s earlier USD 2.4 M grant from Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund and the ongoing Health Sector Development Project for the procurement of medical supplies and PPEs. The ADB has also approved USD 20 M as a support loan to help the government implement the economic contingency plan.
Bhutan is listed among the first 18 countries to receive the first wave of Pfizer vaccines through the COVAX facility. More than 10,000 doses of the vaccine will reach the country soon.
Kelzang Choden
