Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday asked Russia
to provide COVID-19 vaccine to Cambodia in a move to stem spread of the virus across
the country.
This proposal was made during a meeting between
Mr Hun Sen and Anatoly Borovik, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
the Russian Federation to Cambodia.
Mr Hun Sen said on his Facebook page that
Cambodia congratulates Russia on the discovery of the COVID-19 vaccine.
He added that the discovery of the COVID-19
vaccine could help the world fight the disease, which is facing a number of
challenges, including socio-economic issues and the relations between many
countries in the world.
Ministry of Health spokeswoman Or Vandine told
Khmer Times yesterday that it’s good that the prime minister is asking for a
vaccine from Russia, which is a friend. If Russia decides to give us [Cambodia]
the vaccine, it depends on the decision of the government.
“The ministry abides by the head of
government’s instructions and recommendations,” she said. “The requests can be
made because this is in Cambodia’s interest, and the provision of the vaccine
is not immediately available, and we are continuing to see the effectiveness of
the vaccine.”
On August 11, Russia announced the launch of
their COVID-19 vaccine, after human trials in May.
According to Reuters, Russian President
Vladimir Putin has confirmed the success and announced that Russia is the first
country in the world to allow the use of the world’s first new respiratory
vaccine after a trial on May 17.
Some scientists have said that the experimental
process is only 10 percent complete.
However, Putin and his officials dismissed
those concerns, claiming the vaccine was completely safe. Putin added that his
daughter had already volunteered and experienced no side effects. He said that
the Sputnik V vaccine could develop a human immune system against coronavirus
and has already gone through all the necessary testing stages.
The vaccine is expected to begin mass
production domestically from October, as the government has already received
one billion bottles from overseas, according to a Russian government source.
The World Health Organization has also asked
the Russian government to review the vaccine test report.
On August 25, during the third Lancang-Mekong
Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that China will
give priority to Cambodia and other Mekong countries for COVID-19 vaccines once
it completes research, production and licensing of the serum.
However, Vandine said that the ministry will
continue to monitor the effectiveness of the vaccine before it makes any
decision on adopting it in Cambodia.
Vandine said Cambodia is waiting for clear
information on the proposed vaccine such as technical confirmation from the WHO
as any vaccine adopted would need to be thoroughly checked in accordance with
WHO guidelines.
WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus said that 172 countries are now engaging with the COVAX Global
Vaccines Facility, which has the largest COVID-19 vaccine portfolio in the
world. At present there are nine vaccines that are part of the portfolio.
Meanwhile, the Cambodian Ambassador to Malaysia
yesterday issued a statement that the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has
issued a diplomatic note informing Cambodians, students, workers and those with
permanent or temporary residence in Malaysia, as well as all foreigners who
intend to travel to the country to provide a quarantine fee of approximately
$1,150 per air passenger.
It added the money should be paid to Malaysian
Ministry of Health officials stationed at Malaysia’s international gates.
The statement said the payment for the
quarantine does not apply to those who are allowed to self-quarantine at home,
such as those with special permission and diplomats.
Cambodia has had no new cases for 11 days since
September 13. It has a total of 275 COVID-19 cases with 274 recoveries and no
death. A 54-year-old British man is receiving treatment at the Khmer Soviet
Friendship Hospital in the capital.
Since the first case was detected in Preah
Sihanouk province in late January, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit 13 provinces
and the capital.