Russian scientists arrive in SA to assist with Covid-19 battle
The Department of International
Relations and Cooperation has confirmed the arrival of a group of Russian
scientists to assist the country in its response to Covid-19 and the new
Omicron variant.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor addressed media on the department’s end-of-year report on Tuesday.
“We’re very pleased as last night, we welcome a contingent of scientists from Russia who will be working as part of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa group of countries) research team, to focus on the new Omicron variant,” she said.
“Cooperation amongst BRICS member states continues to grow, as you know we announced last week that we invited scientist from Brazil, Russia, India and China to work with our own excellent scientists, including the sharing of data and information on Covid-19.“
She added that the country has offered funding to provide vaccines to 26 countries on the continent.
“On the year and managing the Covid-19 pandemic, I wish to report that as part of continuous response and efforts in fighting the coronavirus disease, our country through the African Renaissance Fund, has provided funding into the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust.
“This has been done in order to provide vaccines to 26 of the poor African countries that lack vaccines access.”
The trust was established by the African Union during the term President Cyril Ramaphosa served as chair of the union, to respond to the lack of access of vaccines across the continent.
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