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TIRANA – Japan has pledged to provide the antiviral drug Avigan to Albania, which is a new type of influenza medicine produced by a Japanese pharmaceutical company that has been in the market for years, and now is being used to treat patients affected with coronavirus.
In an interview with Report TV on Thursday evening Japanese Ambassador Makoto Ito said that his government had decided to provide Avigan for free of charge to more than 20 countries that want to use this drug to treat coronavirus patients while clinical trials are ongoing. “Albania is among the 20 countries that will be provided this medicine. We have cooperated with the Albanian Ministry of Health and Social Protection, as well as with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Japan will provide Avigan to countries that wish to receive it, including Albania.”
Speaking of the current situation in Japan Mr. Ito said that as of April 10 Japan reported 5530 cases confirmed positive with COVID-19 and a death toll of 99. “I want to express my sincere condolences to those families both in Albania and all over the world who have lost their loved ones in these tragic circumstances, and I wish for an earliest recovery of those who are currently fighting this disease,” he said.
According to Mr. Ito, Japan has a very good medical and testing system, but in addition Japanese people have a high level of discipline and the habit of wearing masks. “Somehow the number of the infected in Japan is not so large compared to other European countries, the United States. However we cannot be negligent, we have to be careful.”
In a comment on the testing system he said medical experts ordered to follow the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation that only suspected cases should undergo testing for the virus. “This has been the WHO’s initial recommendation which hasn’t changed until now. I think this recommendation has been followed by the Albanian government as well.”
Japan in a month – long soft lockdown
Ambassador Ito announced that until recently the strategy implemented by the government proved effective in managing the outbreak of the coronavirus, but seeing the change in the situation, on April 7, Prime Minister Abe declared a state of emergency in the form of a month – long soft lockdown. According to him, night clubs, pubs, schools, coffees and some restaurants have been closed but public transportation is still available. “People were asked to reduce their contact with others by 70-80%, as successful social distancing is believed to help in reducing the infection,” he said adding that these measures will continue until May 6.
Economic relief package equal to about 20% of GDP
Japanese government has recently approved its largest economic relief package ever, aiming to alleviate the economic pains inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic and reinforce the safety net for struggling companies and households. “This rescue package is nearly $ 1 trillion equal to about 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product,” Ambassador Ito said.
According to some details unveiled by the Ambassador the package features cash payouts worth more than $ 55 million to households and small and midsize firms, who are facing hardships and to protect employment, the government will also establish arrangements through the package to allow small and midsize firms to borrow at zero interest from private financial institutions. In addition these measures, as he said, will give struggling companies a grace period for tax payment and social security fees to help them continue business operations. “The government also plans to distribute $2800 to low-income households. We believe that this plan will support the people and revitalize the economy.”
Ambassador’s Message to Albanians: “Respect Rules to Fight COVID-19”
Ambassador Ito expressed his thanks to Albanian doctors, nurses and supporting medical staff that are working very hard, risking their lives, health and wellbeing in order to perform their duties. “I appreciate the work of the Albanian authorities for their prompt emergency response, taking the necessary measures to ensure everyone’s safety and preventing the spread of the infection,” he said adding that based on the data of the spread of the coronavirus he could say that the Albanian authorities had contained the virus very well and the situation was becoming under control.
Further on Mr. Ito commended most of all the Albanian citizens and medical personel who respect the rules imposed by the authorities and stay at home to fight against COVID-19. His message to Albanians is as following: “This is a very dangerous virus that has affected the lives of everyone around the world. Its spread doesn’t know borders or nationalities making everyone vulnerable. All countries must unite to overcome pandemic this together. Healthcare sector has always been of great importance to the Government of Japan as well and we will continue to support Albania in this sector.”/argumentum.al
