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Kuwait affirms states must coordinate in combating COVID-19

GENEVA, June 21 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait on Monday affirmed nations of the globe must close ranks in the face of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The stance was expressed by the Permanent State of Kuwait Representative at the United Nations and International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Jamal Al-Ghuneim, during the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council, set between June 21 and July 13.
Ambassador Al-Ghuneim affirmed that the top responsibility lies on every state to secure facilities and required resources to attain the aspired level of health care for citizens.
As for the State of Kuwait, it has been in the lead among states that support the international system in facing the pandemic, keenly cooperating with many partners and effectively contributing to a number of significant initiatives with respect of coordinating international efforts for facing the contagion, Al-Ghuneim added.
At the time the State of Kuwait raced against time in confronting this pandemic locally, it was among the first to respond to the UN appeal for combating the pandemic, keenly maintaining the international cooperation and helping to enable the World Health Organization and other health stakeholders in the efforts to save lives, particularly the most vulnerable, he added.
In line with instructions by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the State of Kuwait has recently pledged to back up "Gavi" and "Covax" systems with USD 40 million, raising the whole Kuwaiti contributions to the anti-covid international efforts to some USD 327.4 million.
Ambassador Al-Ghuneim has expressed the State of Kuwait conviction that the right to health care is a genuine right of the overall human rights, as manifested in the international human rights declaration and the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The convention 12th item stipulates necessity of protection from epidemics, treating and combating such infection diseases for all people.
The State of Kuwait is committed to maintaining individual's right to enjoy highest standards of health care according to the Kuwaiti Constitution that stipulates in its 11th provision that the state is responsible of securing support for the elderly, for the sick and for citizens incapable to work, in addition to providing social security and aid as well as health care.
Ambassador Al-Ghuneim added that since spread of the coronavirus in 2020, the State of Kuwait has taken a series of precautions to protect its citizens and residents against this disease and has carried out plans compatible with the highest standards related to basic human rights, particularly with respect of health and the right to live.
The Kuwaiti authorities have urgently and rapidly responded to the extraordinary health situation, providing vaccines to the largest segment of the citizens and residents. (end) ta.rk