The old proverb ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’ has remained as relevant as it was before, in any situation. China, already a major development partner of Bangladesh with its participation in most of the mega development projects here, has emerged as a friend in need by coming up with Covid-19 vaccine support. When Bangladesh was struggling to manage Covid-19 vaccines it needs for mass inoculation of its citizens to protect them from the deadly virus with several countries dragging their feet in fulfilling their vaccine support promise, China extended a helping hand. The economic superpower has so far supplied to Bangladesh 12.57 million doses of vaccine, including 5.57 million doses as government and Covax gifts.
And now Bangladesh is entering the era of Covid-19 vaccine production with the support of China. The country signed a tripartite agreement yesterday with Chinese vaccine producer Sinopharm Group and local drug manufacturer Incepta Pharmaceuticals to coproduce Sinopharm jabs that Bangladesh has been using for mass inoculation. Though the idea of Chinese vaccine coproduction is not new (Egypt is already producing the vaccine under a similar arrangement), it is still a great privilege for Bangladesh to have the opportunity and China deserves plaudits for it. There is no denying that the coproduction of the jab will enable Bangladesh to fight the vaccine crisis and carry on the mass vaccination, the most effective way to check the onslaught of the virus, which has mutated into several variants including the deadliest Delta variant that has brought about greater challenges for developing countries. Media reports suggest that Bangladesh has so far received around 30 million doses of vaccine against its requirement of 260 million doses to bring 130 million of its citizen under vaccination. The coproduction, which will be time-saving and cost-effective, will help Bangladesh effectively face the challenge.
China has been providing vaccine support not only to Bangladesh,
but also to other countries after meeting its domestic demand,
keeping President Xi Jinping’s pledge made at the beginning of the
pandemic that when developed and produced in China, Covid-19
vaccine would be made a global public good
With its huge production capacity, China has been providing vaccine support not only to Bangladesh, but also other countries after meeting its domestic demand in keeping with President Xi Jinping’s pledge made at the beginning of the pandemic that when developed and produced in China, Covid-19 vaccine would be made a global public good. And the cooperation has not remained confined to vaccines; the country has been providing medical supplies to other countries and sharing experience in virus prevention and treating patients too.
According to the government version, the country is able to produce 5 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines, double its domestic demand, meaning that it can provide the world with a large number of vaccines.
A report of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at the Renmin University of China says Beijing leads the world in Covid-19 vaccinations, vaccine exports and providing aid to other countries. The country has administered over 1 billion jabs until June 19, accounting for more than one-third of the total doses administered worldwide. China has donated and exported more vaccines than the total of other countries and has vowed to make efforts to provide the world with 2 billion doses this year and donate $100 million to Covax initiative to promote global vaccine provision. The country has taken several steps, including the acceleration of large-scale production, boosting fair distribution and licensing local production in more countries to bridge the global vaccine accessibility gap.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other global bodies have long been urging equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. But still developing and poor countries are lagging far behind developed nations in access to vaccines. China’s efforts to make the jabs easily available will contribute to narrowing the accessibility gap. And there would be fewer choices, without Chinese vaccines, for developing nations to have Covid-19 jabs. The efforts China is making will contribute to the building of ‘a global community of health for all’ and ‘the community with a shared future for mankind’ as envisioned by President Xi Jinping. The efforts also match the China’s position as a responsible global leader.
As the world’s second-largest economy and growing superpower, China has a good relationship with and commitment for so many countries. Still, the country has given Bangladesh a special place of attention in its efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines. Bangladesh should keep in mind the good gesture of the friendly country and reciprocate it at the appropriate time.
Shiabur Rahman is the executive editor of Bangladesh Post.
He can be reached by
email – rahmansrdk@gmail.com
