Coronavirus vaccine: Fawad concerned at monopoly of five richest countries

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said the monopoly of five richest countries on the coronavirus vaccine is a matter of great concern, and urged international organisations to take notice of the situation.

This he stated, while addressing a function organised by the Pakistan Science Foundation, the UNESCO, the COMSATS, and the Pakistan Academy of Sciences at the Comcast Secretariat on the occasion of World Science Day here on Tuesday.

The minister also tweeted the same concerns.

Five richest countries had ordered 500 million doses of coronavirus vaccine, which meant that developing countries would need at least two years to get the vaccine, said the minister, adding the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international organisations needed to understand that situation.

The minister said the beauty of science was that it changed lives.

Distances have been bridged with the development of science and technology.

Educational institutes should play a role in the promotion of science and technology in the country.

The future of the world depends on advances in science and technology.

The participation of women and girls in that sector was essential, he added.

"If we want to make Pakistan one of the developed countries, our children have to come to science. We also have no shortage of resources. Advanced knowledge of technology can be used. In the future, only those countries whose future is related to knowledge, education and science and technology will move forward," the minister added.

Fawad Chaudhry said that many challenges had been faced and were still facing difficulties due to corona.

He said when the first corona case came to light; the country imported medical equipment from China for five months.

"Through day and night efforts, Pakistan is now exporting masks, sanitizer kits and ventilators to various countries."

Fawad Chaudhry said that a revolution was expected soon with the 5G technology.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020