World Bank concerned about vaccine hesitancy, PNG treasurer says
Papua New Guinea TREASURER Ian Ling-Stuckey says the World Bank is concerned about the Coronavirus (Covid-19) “vaccine hesitancy” in Papua New Guinea.
Ling-Stuckey said this after a meeting with World Bank vice-president Manuela Ferro last week where they discussed the impact of the Covid-19 on the country.
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| World Bank concerned about vaccine hesitancy, PNG treasurer says |
“Our friends are worried about both the health and economic impacts, including the loss of jobs and incomes and budget revenues,” he said.
Ling-Stuckey said he discussed with Ferro the increase of 27 per cent in health funding from 2018 to this year, but the difficulties in having the budgeted funds distributed to needed areas.
He said many health services had not accounted for the funds provided earlier, and there were cash flow difficulties.
“The World Bank talked of the importance of a consistent, well-structured approach to communications that had helped overcome some of the vaccine hesitancy issue in other countries, especially in Africa,” he said.
“There was also discussion on the global challenge of climate change.
“The speech by the Prime Minister (James Marape) at the United Nations was welcomed.
“PNG clearly was blessed with massive forestry and biodiversity richness.
“The global community was exploring ways to convert these important resources to practical options to support development.
“This included ‘carbon credits’ for preserving forests.
“The meeting highlighted the Marape’s deep commitment to seeing PNG’s natural resources as ‘the lungs for the region’.
“The emerging green and blue economies are part of the build back smarter approach of the Marape Government in recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is why I have welcomed listening to the views of international partners on how to drive this new green/blue agenda.”
Statement
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