Statement by Minister of Healthcare of the Russian Federation Mikhail Murashko at the 31st Special Session of UNGA in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
Mr. President,
Colleagues,
COVID-19 pandemic has become an unprecedented endurance test for countries of the world and the entire global community. There is an urgent need to join our efforts to save people’s lives and overcome the crisis caused by this virus. Analysis and exchange of national practices and approaches to curbing the spread of the disease play a key role in enhancing readiness and ability of states to respond to the pandemic.
Russia has unique expertise of taking effective steps to contain the spread of COVID-19, which were duly reflected in BRICS and SCO review of best practices of COVID-19 prevention. We took proactive steps: clear protocols of COVID-19 detection and prevention, as well as timely medical assistance allowed us to avoid the worst-case scenario of the epidemic.
The Russian Federation elaborated and promptly implemented a set of measures to control the epidemiological situation and mobilize the healthcare system, which included support for medical personnel. Our researchers developed and registered a number of innovative medicines and, most importantly, two vaccines - “Sputnuk-V” and “EpiVacCorona”. The third vaccine is going through the final stage of clinical tests at the moment. It is fundamentally important that the two vaccines base on different techniques. It will let us use different production facilities in parallel and manufacture the required amount of vaccine doses even faster.
I am happy to share that the first in the world registered vaccine against COVID-19 “Sputnik-V” is already available to public.
Let me emphasize that our shared goal is to create a portfolio of safe and effective vaccines to protect the people of the world from the coronavirus. Complying with resolution “COVID-19 Response”, adopted at the 73rd session of the World Health Assembly, and in view of the recent Final Declaration of the G20 leaders, Russia is ready to engage in active cooperation with states in order to unlock access to the vaccines for their population by building local productions.
We condemn the intentions of some states and integrative associations to politicize the pandemic in a number of aspects, including that of vaccination. Anti-solidarity can only postpone the launch of effective solutions and increase the cost of rescue measures.
Russia is meaningfully involved in global efforts to counter COVID-19 at all levels. We help the affected states both bilaterally and within multilateral formats.
In our actions, we are guided by the understanding of the central coordinating role of the World Health Organization. WHO needs to enhance capacity. Such work is already underway, and Russia is an interested participant there.
COVID-19 pandemic has shown that those who suffer from contagious (i.a. tuberculosis) and non-contagious diseases are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and, when exposed to the coronavirus, they have it in a more severe form. Therefore, we welcome the work of WHO Global TB Programme and the Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases. We will continue providing all the required support to it.
Concluding my statement, may I express sincere appreciation to the medical community for the efforts it makes to respond to the novel coronavirus infection, and to the staff of organizations of the UN system who help the affected countries overcome the consequences of the pandemic.
