The resiliency of transportation routes for vaccines and medical equipment

In a document published by a global logistics firm, the point was raised that it could become difficult to deliver vaccines and medical equipment to remote areas during the pandemic in countries that are not as technologically advanced. MP Gusty Graas has raised his concerns with the Ministry for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs and asked if such problems have come to be known so far and how Luxembourg can assist in such cases.

« Dans son rapport ‘Delivering Pandemic Resilience’ de septembre 2020, DHL a évalué les moyens nécessaires pour garantir des chaînes de distributions résilientes pour vaccins et matériaux médicaux pendant la pandémie du Covid-19 et pour le cas échéant de futures urgences sanitaires.

La publication se base sur de multiples discussions avec des experts de l’industrie et d’organisations non-gouvernementales, sur la recherche publique ainsi que sur leur propre expérience extensive dans le secteur de la logistique.

En portant un regard géographique sur la distribution du vaccin, et en considération du fait que la température joue un rôle primordial dans sa conservation, DHL note que les pays aux infrastructures et chaînes du froid limitées se voient potentiellement face à des enjeux plus problématiques. Ainsi, l’entreprise considère dans son rapport que de grandes parties de l’Afrique, de l’Amérique du Sud et de l’Asie manquent les capacités requises et suggère des moyens de transports innovatifs et spécialisés afin d’atteindre les populations dans les régions excentrées.

Dans ce contexte, j’aimerais poser les questions suivantes à Monsieur le Ministre de la Coopération et de l’Action humanitaire:

  • À ce stade, est-ce que Monsieur le Ministre est au courant de tels problèmes dans les pays avec lesquels l’État luxembourgeois a signé un accord général de coopération et l’aide humanitaire ?
  • Dans l’affirmative, est-ce que le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg a prévu d’apporter de l’aide dans ces régions suivant l’objectif de développement durable “Bonne santé et bien-être’ des Nations Unies, ayant pour but de ‘permettre à tous de vivre en bonne santé et promouvoir le bien-être des tous à tout âge” ? »

Response

Luxembourg‘s Cooperation emphasizes strengthening the health systems in its partner countries. This reinforcement is also intended to contribute to the deployment of the vaccine against Covid-19 in these countries. Luxembourg‘s support is part of the “Team Europe” initiative and since the start of the health crisis, Luxembourg has contributed nearly EUR 69 million, with a geographic focus on West Africa. The support of Luxembourg‘s Cooperation also includes sectoral support and contributions to multilateral response mechanisms. Luxembourg is closely observing the situation on the ground such as to be able to provide an appropriate response to the needs identified, if necessary.

Would you like this parliamentary question to be translated into English?

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
WhatsApp

More parliamentary questions

Do rapid diagnostic tests help against antibiotic shortages?

France is considering only allowing antibiotics to be prescribed if a rapid diagnostic test is carried out beforehand. This would make it possible to determine with certainty whether the infection is bacterial or viral.
This could on the one hand counteract the lack of antibiotics and on the other hand reduce antibiotic resistance.
DP MPs Gilles Baum and Gusty Graas asked the Minister of Health how many antibiotics have been prescribed in Luxembourg in the last five years and whether doctors should be made more aware of prescribing diagnostic tests.

read more...

Is therapeutic housing being commercialised?

Therapeutic housing is currently offered by approved outpatient psychiatric services to people suffering from mental health problems.
Rumours are now circulating that the Ministry of Health is planning to entrust the management of therapeutic housing to a commercial company.
DP MPs Gusty Graas and Gilles Baum asked the Minister for Health whether these rumours were true and, if so, why this course of action was being pursued rather than supporting the existing players in approved outpatient psychiatry.

read more...

Is there also abuse of “proton pump inhibitors” in Luxembourg?

According to a recent scientific study, the long-term use of so-called “proton pump inhibitors” (IPP), which are used to treat stomach problems, increases the risk of developing dementia. The DP MP Gusty Graas asked the responsible ministers whether they are aware of this study, what conclusions they draw from it and whether figures on the use of IPPs in Luxembourg are known.

read more...