(Nation News): Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley said, on Tuesday, that the novel coronavirus pandemic has the capacity to “upend developing countries” and that it is necessary to “put down the tools to avert a debt crisis which is potentially on us if we do not get it right”. Mottley issued this advice while addressing a World Health Organisation (WHO) media briefing.
She repeated calls for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and technical resources, and said there is an urgent need for coordinated action in fighting the virus. Mottley said she looked forward to continued support from the WHO and the Pan American Health Organisation in grappling with the effects of COVID-19. The Prime Minister also said there is no measure that is too much on the personal, national or global level to safeguard lives and reminded of the importance of the personal protocols in curbing COVID-19. She expressed best wishes to Prime Minister of Trinidad and current chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Keith Rowley, who has tested positive for COVID-19. Mottley said the “tail” of the pandemic is long and she looks forward to continue working to reduce its consequences. The Prime Minister was among other officials addressing the briefing. Meanwhile, earlier Tuesday, Barbados received an additional 33,600 Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, which have been provided through the COVAX Facility. Mottley was joined by Minister of Health Jeffrey Bostic and other local and international officials when the vaccines arrived at Grantley Adams International Airport around 7:00h.