Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, is advising that the Government of Mexico has increased its donation of AstraZeneca vaccines to Jamaica to 65,000 doses, which will be delivered to Kingston this week.
Johnson Smith stated, “Just last week, we welcomed Mexico’s generosity for a smaller amount and we were in the process of making arrangements for collection. Further to engagements with the Mexican Foreign Ministry, and in particular, conversations with Deputy Minister Delgado Peralta, we now have an agreement for almost double the amount, to be delivered to Kingston by the Government of Mexico.”
She continued, “We therefore express our even greater appreciation to Mexico for their generosity. We note in particular that although both Foreign Minister Ebrard and Deputy Minister Delgado are at G20 meetings, they ensured that arrangements would be completed this week.”
She also advised that the Ministry of Health and Wellness of Jamaica, and the Secretary of Health of Mexico had now signed to the increased amounts to address Jamaica’s urgent need for vaccines, and that the foreign ministries were working together with the support of Jamaica’s new Ambassador to Mexico, the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the National Health Fund.
Johnson Smith reminded that Mexico currently holds the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and in that capacity, has donated supplies of vaccines to several countries in the region. She stated that engagements within the context of CELAC were productive and representative of the great possibilities that can be realised through South-South and Regional Co-operation.
Source-The Observer
