The World Bank’s statements came amid the dissatisfaction of some residents and doctors in Lebanon at what they say is the slow pace and irregularities in the vaccination campaign.
Lebanon received the first batch of the “Pfizer-Biontech” vaccine, which included about 28 thousand doses, during this month, with the help of the World Bank, which said that it will monitor the process to ensure that the vaccines reach those most in need.
In its first operation to finance the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines, the World Bank reallocated $ 34 million to help Lebanon start vaccinations.
The bank has warned of favoritism in a country where decades of government waste and corruption have led to a severe financial meltdown.
And after local media reported that some members of parliament would receive the Covid-19 vaccine, on Tuesday, the World Bank’s regional director, Saruj Kumar Jha, said that this would violate the agreed national plan for fair vaccination.
He wrote on Twitter, saying, “If the violation is confirmed, the World Bank may suspend the financing of vaccines and support for the response to Covid-19 throughout Lebanon … I appeal to everyone, I mean everyone, regardless of your position, to register your names and wait for your turn.”
The Ministry of Health sought to allay concerns about politicians taking advantage and skipping the role.
A member of parliament said that current and retired lawmakers over the age of 75, as well as some administrative staff, are being vaccinated in Parliament Hall. “What is all the fuss about? They are over 75 years old and they are registered,” he said.
Earlier, Sharaf Abu Sharaf, the head of the Lebanese Doctors Syndicate, called for more transparency, and said that there were many violations without specifying a number.
He stated that people who do not have priority or have not been registered have received vaccinations, while some medical workers and the elderly continue to wait.
Hospitals affected by the financial crisis in Lebanon and the Beirut port explosion last year faced one of the highest rates of Coronavirus infection in the region since January, and the increase brought the number of deaths in Lebanon to more than 4,300.
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