Gaza, 29 January 2022 (TDI): UAE has provided one million doses of SPUTNIK V to Gaza. Subsequently, the Palestinian Ministry of Health received these medical supplies to fight COVID-19. However, the convoy of vaccines reached Gaza through Rafah Border Crossing on January 27, 2022.
According to reports, it is the largest medical support from UAE to combat the corona pandemic. Currently, Gaza is encountering the fourth wave of COVID19. Therefore, these vaccines will be delivered to vaccination centers. In addition, it will embolden people to get vaccinated.
On the other hand, SPUTNIK V has over a ninety-percent efficacy rate. Besides, it is authorized in seventy-one countries. Surely, it will protect people from the Omicron variant.
Above all, reports suggest that there are almost 197,976 COVID-19 registered cases in the enclave. Among them, 189,473 patients have recovered while 1,744 died. As a result, Russia’s SPUTNIK V is the need of the hour.
Overall, the Palestinian State has a population of 5.2 million. Up till now, it has 466,697 registered coronavirus cases. Among them, 439,810 patients recovered while 4805 died.
Along these lines, a sudden rise in cases has raised concerns over the availability of other medical facilities as well. This includes hospital beds, oxygen supplies, and mental health.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health declared the territory a red zone during the second wave of the pandemic. It means that community transmission is probably high.
Most importantly, the mental health of the people of Gaza is at a precarious stage. Akihiro Seita, director of UNRWA’s heal program remarked that mental health is a social phenomenon now.
It is not a medical case only. And, this condition happens due to a lack of medical attention and access to life. Thus, this underscores the significance of universal access to vaccines as vaccines are the only way to fight the pandemic.
According to the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development, Ghazi Hamad, these medical supplies will boost the countermeasures of the health sector. Meanwhile, he thanked UAE for this medical aid.
Besides, Emirati Leadership has also constructed a hospital there. Moreover, Former Palestinian Minister, Jawad al-Tibi, has also commented on the pandemic situation.
He remarked that the health sector of Gaza requires unremitting efforts to overcome this crisis. He further reiterated;
“The UAE sends aid after aid to support our steadfastness and address difficulties and disease in the Gaza Strip. This batch of UAE assistance came at the appropriate time to support the health sector and vaccinate students.”
Similarly, in an interview, Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, stated that SPUTNIK V delivery will mitigate the effects of the outbreak. The interview took place on 21 November 2021.
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