Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has claimed that there are local companies who approached the government seeking permission to import and sell COVID-19 vaccines.
He made the remarks while addressing hundreds of ZANU PF supporters who were gathered in Bulawayo for the commissioning of the Epping Forest Water Supply Augmentation Project for Bulawayo and the ground-breaking ceremony of the Gwayi-Shangani-Bulawayo pipeline project in Nyamandlovu, Umguza District, Matabeleland North yesterday.
The president indicated that the Chinese President Xi Jinping through his ambassador to Zimbabwe told him that the country was donating an additional 200 000 Covid-19 vaccines to Zimbabwe, bringing the total donation to 400 000 doses.
He reiterated that although some companies made an attempt to import and sell COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccines were not for sale. He said:
The Ministry of Health supported by (Finance Minister Professor Mthuli) Ncube also bought two sets yesterday, 600 000 doses which will come during the first two weeks of March and another 1,2 million doses.
There are so many companies that have come forward who want to import the vaccines and sell them, we have said no. If any company buys vaccines, they must be distributed freely.
President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to China for the donation of vaccines saying procurement plans of other vaccines from India and Russia were at an advanced stage.
He urged the nation to remain vigilant in the fight against Covid-19 and to keep on observing measures that were put in place to curb the spread of the virus.
Zimbabwe has started implementing the vaccination programme which is aimed at vaccinating the majority of the population.
More: The Herald
