PM explains challenges

PRIME Minister James Marape says the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic remains the biggest challenge for the country and the low rates of vaccinations is a serious a concern for the Government.
“I extend our condolences to the families in your countries who have lost lives due to Covid-19 and our get-well wishes to those who are sick,” Marape told world leaders at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, United States, on Friday (Saturday morning PNG time).
“I also pay tribute to the global frontline workers and service personnel who have toiled over and beyond the call of duty to care for the sick and vulnerable,” he said, thanking international partners for their assistance to Papua New Guinea during this difficult time.
“Our numbers are low in terms of both confirmed cases and fatalities.
“But most concerning is the low acceptance of vaccinations by our nationals.
“We took enactment appropriate legislation, the National Pandemic Act 2020.
“This, together with very close working partnership with our valued development partners, including our Pacific family of nations through the Pacific humanitarian pathway on Covid-19 programme, has given us much success.
“We cannot speak highly enough of such partnerships, including those through the Covax facility, and with the United Nations, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Japan, China, European Union, the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates.
“These partnerships have enabled us to have immediate access to essential medical equipment and supplies that included the AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson and Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines.”
He said Papua New Guinea continued to welcome and encourage further strengthening of cooperative global efforts to allow access to vaccines in countries where they were most needed.
“Misinformation, including on social media in Papua New Guinea, had curbed efforts to increase vaccination acceptance,” Marape said.
“We advocate for global efforts in curbing misinformation.
“It will truly support our efforts in building national advocacy and awareness on the efficacy and safety of Covid-19 vaccines, a programme aptly supported by our development partners, including most notably the churches and the UN country office.”