By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The Qatar government is providing US$450,000 (approximately P23 million) to help the Philippines procure 50,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine, the Qatar Embassy in Manila announced on Tuesday, Jan. 25.
“Qatar Fund for Development, on behalf of the State of Qatar, has provided financial support to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, to purchase 50,000 doses of Sinovac anti-COVID-19 vaccine for the cost of US$450,000, to the people of Philippines, as a continuation of Qatar’s response to provide a wider access to COVID-19 vaccine,” it said in a statement.
“This assistance is an extension of Qatar’s commitment to stand with the brotherly and friendly countries affected by the pandemic, by providing appropriate medical supplies to cope with the repercussions of COVID-19 and to provide health support to the people of the affected countries,” it added.
Qatar Ambassador Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Malki said the support “comes within the framework of humanitarian action” and serves as a way to extend relief to the Filipino people hit hard by the pandemic.
Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, director-general of Qatar Fund for Development, added that this latest aid affirms Qatar’s “active role and efforts” in battling the pandemic as well as its position to assist “friendly and fraternal countries” like the Philippines overcome the global health crisis.
Qatar last November 2021 also donated about 50,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine to Manila.
Doha and Manila will mark 41 years of diplomatic relations on May 5, 2022. Earlier, Al-Malki said Qatar would continue exerting efforts to link the two countries closer, especially in the areas of energy, education, culture, and health.
The envoy said the two nations’ four decades of bilateral relations are a testament to the “solid friendship” they have formed over the years. (PNA) – bny
