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WHO denies claims GR influenced decision on Sinopharm

11 May 2021 11:01 am - 21     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has denied claims that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had influenced the decision by the global body to approve the emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccine.

In response to a question raised by Daily Mirror the WHO said that the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of the WHO process usually takes two to three months to complete, depending on the quality and availability of the data submitted by the vaccine developers, among other factors and the prequalification process is more complex and thus takes longer.   

Sri Lanka had taken the credit for the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine being approved by the WHO.

President's Spokesman Kingsly Rathnayaka had said earlier that the WHO had approved the vaccine as a result of a discussion President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"….as a result of a discussion President Gotabaya Rajapaksa held with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) via 'Zoom' last Friday, the WHO on the same evening approved the emergency use of the "Sinopharm " vaccine," Rathnayaka had said in a statement.

WHO said that in line with their national regulations and legislation, countries have the autonomy to issue emergency use authorizations for any health product.   

“Domestic emergency use authorizations are issued at the discretion of countries and not subject to WHO approval,” the WHO said in an emailed response to Daily Mirror.  

WHO added that in emergency situations, such as the current COVID pandemic, and for countries whose regulatory authorities are under-resourced, WHO supports the regulatory process by running independent parallel reviews, usually involving independent experts and experts from regulatory authorities at global level.(Easwaran Rutnam)


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  Comments - 21

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  • RoaringCreek Tuesday, 11 May 2021 11:31 AM

    The WHO has recently been accused of may backdoor dealings with China to coverup this pandemic and in the process made a mess of it. China may have been behind with the $$$$.

    Confused Tuesday, 11 May 2021 12:12 PM

    Earlier Sri Lanka said it was first country to ban Chemical Fertilizer forgetting that Bhutan had done it year ago.

    Nimal S Tuesday, 11 May 2021 12:34 PM

    WHO no no... hoooooo to GR

    Sri Wickrema Tuesday, 11 May 2021 02:26 PM

    Newly appointed media man blundered. What happened to their skills (if any ) after taking the new assignment?

    Wijebahu Tuesday, 11 May 2021 03:09 PM

    Desperately looking for some recognition. Lies lies continues. Taking clothes off in front of whole world.

    dickie bird Tuesday, 11 May 2021 03:31 PM

    damn the influence, get the vaccines out get cracking on vaccinating the people. If China can curb COVID, so can we with China's assistance. Everything to either get political credit or score political mileage or to collect political brownie points. We need genuine action.

    Joseph Tuesday, 11 May 2021 03:41 PM

    No inter provincial travel till 30th May 21, but failed to say from when. Further it is very clear from the WHO clarification they have not given an official approval

    Manula Tuesday, 11 May 2021 03:46 PM

    Aiyo Nadasena (fail again)

    seetha Tuesday, 11 May 2021 03:56 PM

    awkward...

    Con man Tuesday, 11 May 2021 04:08 PM

    So they think that the rest of the world are also fools like the 6.9 Mio

    Sammy Tuesday, 11 May 2021 04:33 PM

    It would reflect badly on WHO if they were thus influenced.

    Chandrasekara Tuesday, 11 May 2021 04:39 PM

    we trust king-s-lee who is WHO

    vithura Tuesday, 11 May 2021 04:48 PM

    Tedros compromised the integrity of the office he holds by not holding China accountable for its deliberate concealment of information on the origins of this dreaded virus!

    Michael Ranasinghe Tuesday, 11 May 2021 05:39 PM

    King' s Lee tried to be a Bruce Lee .. what a joke we have become

    Gamarala Tuesday, 11 May 2021 06:12 PM

    Mona WHO is this?

    Premalal Perera Tuesday, 11 May 2021 06:28 PM

    WHO aided and abetted the Chinese to spread the virus worldwide by denying the infection of humans.

    Truth prevails. Wednesday, 12 May 2021 12:29 AM

    If president has not told the truth he should resign.

    Neil Wednesday, 12 May 2021 02:03 AM

    Good lesson for Nandasena. Give the credit to the person who deserves it.

    DJ Wednesday, 12 May 2021 02:07 AM

    Now WHO is lying!

    Samson Wednesday, 12 May 2021 04:46 AM

    This could be the final nail in the coffin for WHO whose credibility has hit a new low in recent years since Tedros was appointed Director General. It is now time to dismantle this corrupt organization before it becomes a laughing stock.

    Perera Wednesday, 12 May 2021 09:54 AM

    Bullshit...politicos.. ever cheating people and playing with innocent lifes..


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