MedAccess announces extension to guarantee support for UNICEF
by MedAccess
31 March 2021 | News
The extension will support UNICEF’s work to accelerate access to essential supplies for countries around the world.
MedAccess today announced a one-year extension to its $50 million procurement guarantee for UNICEF.
The extension will support UNICEF’s response to ongoing country demand for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 essential supplies.
Demand for COVID-19-related medical supplies remains high, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where countries are battling a severe spike in infections. UNICEF plays a central role in the procurement and distribution of COVID-19 supplies to countries worldwide as well as leading efforts on the procurement and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the COVAX Facility. To date, COVAX has shipped more than 32 million doses to 70 countries.
The guarantee will also support UNICEF’s procurement of non-COVID-19 essential supplies, such as childhood vaccines, on behalf of low- and middle-income countries.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted UNICEF’s vital role in increasing and accelerating access to essential supplies in underserved communities,” said Hema Srinivasan, MedAccess’ Chief Access Officer. “Our guarantee extension will support UNICEF to continue its important work, responding to urgent country needs on COVID-19 and for other lifesaving supplies.”
In July 2020, MedAccess announced a $50 million procurement guarantee to enable UNICEF to accelerate access to vital COVID-19 supplies through high-volume purchase orders in response to country demand.
Through its procurement mechanisms, UNICEF purchases more than $3.8 billion of goods and services annually, primarily on behalf of low- and middle-income countries, country programmes and development partners making quality lifesaving supplies available, accessible and affordable for children.
