WB commends SL’s vaccine procurement process: President Media

• Over 17 m doses of vaccines, including Sinopharm, Sinovac, and Sputnik expected from July to September
• GMOA proposes conduct of vaccination program in hospitals

The World Bank (WB) has commended Sri Lanka's approach to the procurement process of purchasing COVID vaccines according to a statement issued by the President’s Media Office yesterday.

It said the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Chairman Dr. Prasanna Gunasena has said that the World Bank has recognised the SPC as the leading institution when compared with other institutions in South Asian countries in terms of transparency when purchasing vaccines.

As recognition of this, Dr. Gunasena said Sri Lanka will be given access to make payments through the World Bank website when purchasing vaccines. 

“This came to light during a discussion held with the Special Committee on COVID-19 at the Presidential Secretariat,” the statement added.

Over 17 million doses of vaccines, including Sinopharm, Sinovac, and Sputnik are expected to arrive in the country from July to September. The President emphasised the need to formulate a program to administer the vaccines to more people throughout the country within a short period of time.

Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) President Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya, noted that a proposal to conduct the vaccination drive at selected hospitals will be submitted to the Director-General of Health Services. Dr. Padeniya said that this will enable the public to receive vaccines from those hospitals throughout the day on most days.

Ministers Gamini Lokuge, Bandula Gunawardana, Johnston Fernando, Keheliya Rambukwella, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Prasanna Ranatunga, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Ramesh Pathirana, Namal Rajapaksa, State Ministers Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Channa Jayasumana, MP Madhura Withanage, Senior Advisor to President Lalith Weeratunga, Health Secretary Major General (Retired) Specialist Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Commanders of Tri-Forces, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Heads of Security and Health Sectors were also present.