World Bank Regional Director pledges to help Georgia get vaccine

Tamar Gabunia and Tamar Barkalaia, Deputies of the Minister of Refugees, Labor, Health and Social Affairs from the Occupied Territories, met with Sebastian Molineus, World Bank Regional Director.

As InterPressNews was informed by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs, the sides discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and future plans. The conversation focused on the activities carried out and planned within the framework of the World Bank COVID-19 Emergency Response Project and vaccine issues.

Tamar Gabunia thanked the World Bank Regional Director for their active involvement in the development of the National Vaccine Implementation Plan, including the communication plan, and for their support in mobilizing financial resources for the purchase of the vaccine.

According to the Deputy Minister, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Project is actively working to equip the hospital sector, especially state-owned hospitals, which is an important precondition for both strengthening the health care system and responding effectively to the pandemic.

At the meeting, the World Bank Regional Director reiterated his support for Georgia.

"We talked about current and future projects. The World Bank supports and assists Georgia. We’ve provides you with 2.5 million tests and mechanical ventilators. We are ready to help bring the vaccine to Georgia. In addition, we are planning a new project, by which we want to help small and medium-sized businesses,” said Sebastian Molineus.