Health Minister calls for foreign investment in COVID-19 vaccine, drug production
VOV.VN - Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long has called on foreign companies specialising in pharmaceuticals, vaccine production, and medical equipment, to invest in Vietnam’s healthcare sector, with a specific focus on vaccine production and technology transfer.
Long made the request during a reception for the ambassadors of Belgium, Russia, and the UK to Vietnam held in Hanoi on December 7.
At present, he said Vietnam is closely monitoring the development of the Omicron variant globally and has develop possible response scenarios. The Ministry of Health has requested the strengthening of surveillance of imported cases in order to early detect and quarantine any suspect cases.
Minister Long noted that the Vietnamese Government is currently making every effort to accelerate the ongoing vaccination campaign so that all people over 18 years old will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 2022.
Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen provided details on projects that the two sides can co-operate on and proposed maintaining the validity of the drug registration certificate for an additional 12 months.
The Ministry of Health is therefore keen to boost co-operation with Belgium so that Vietnamese pharmaceutical management can improve up to global standards, Minister Long said.
Russian Ambassador Gennady Bezdetko stressed that Russian firms remain ready to expand co-operation with Vietnam in fields of health care, science, and pharmaceuticals manufacturing. He also proposed that Vietnam swiftly consider approving Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik Light for domestic use.
Meanwhile, British Ambassador Gareth Ward said the UK is willing to share experience with Vietnam in COVID-19 vaccinations for children. He also showed a strong desire for the UK to co-operate with Vietnam in researching and producing COVID-19 vaccines and drugs specifically for pandemic treatment.
Minister Long pledged that the Vietnamese side would create favourable conditions to boost co-operation with foreign countries in the healthcare sector.
