- South Asia
- Nepal
- Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- Education and Health
Bank Documents
- Loan Agreement (Ordinary Operations [Concessional]) for Loan 4088-NEP: Responsive COVID-19 Vaccines [Original Source]
- Project Disclosure PDF [Original Source]
- Responsive COVID-19 Vaccines for Recovery Project under the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility: Ge [Original Source]
- Responsive COVID-19 Vaccines for Recovery Project under the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility: Pr
- Responsive COVID-19 Vaccines for Recovery Project under the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility: Pr [Original Source]
- Responsive COVID-19 Vaccines for Recovery Project under the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility: Re [Original Source]
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Project Description
According to the ADB project page, the objective of the project is to support the procurement and delivery of safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 through APVAX's RRC in compliance with ADB's vaccine eligibility criteria to the country. It aims to finance the procurement of about 15.9 million doses of vaccines, which will be administered to about 6.8 million Nepalese by 2024, with data collected and disaggregated by sex and age.
PROJECT RATIONALE AND LINKAGE TO COUNTRY/REGIONAL STRATEGY
Since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Nepal on 27 January 2020, 591,494 cases have been confirmed and 7,990 people have died from the virus as of 7 June 2021. The pandemic resulted in high costs to the country's overall health, well-being, and economy. The disease's infection rate previously peaked in October 2020 with a monthly average test positivity rate of more than 24%. After a subsequent decline, Nepal has been facing a second wave since April 2021, with test positivity above 45%. The crisis is compounded by the country's severe lack of qualified health care workers; there are reports of one nurse caring for 20 critically ill patients. Recognizing the need for vaccination, the government acted swiftly to roll out inoculations starting 27 January 2021. More than 2 million (2,113,080) people received the first dose and 691,494 the second dose by 7 June 2021. Nepal aims to inoculate 71.62% of its population. However, it has not secured a pipeline for vaccines and faces significant financing gaps for vaccine procurement. The government requires timely financial support to procure safe and effective vaccines and limit the adverse impacts of the pandemic.
PROCUREMENT
Procurement will be undertaken in a manner consistent with simplified and expedient procedures permitted under the ADB's Procurement Policy (2017, as amended from time to time) and Procurement Regulations for ADB Borrowers (2017, as amended from time to time). Since the project will be financed under APVAX, ADB member eligibility restrictions will be waived and universal procurement will apply. The procurement of vaccine may be done through (i) Accessing additional vaccines through COVAX; (ii) Engaging UNICEF or other UN agencies to support procurement of vaccines outside COVAX; (iii) Entering into direct bilateral deals with vaccine manufacturers; and (iv) Entering into Government to Government (G2G) contract for procuring vaccines. ADB will prior review all agreements. Value for money in procurement will be achieved by (i) Selecting vaccines that are best suited to domestic supply chain; and (ii) the recommended procurement strategy involves entering into service contract with UNICEF outside COVAX facilities as UNICEF is best positioned to manage vaccine purchasing complexities and the intricate logistics requirements for these temperature-sensitive items and UNICEF has been assisting for a long period in supporting the vaccine procurement for Nepal's National Child Immunization Program. ADB's Anticorruption Policy (1998, as amended to date) will apply to all contracts to be financed under the loan.
| Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
|---|---|
| During Project Design | ADB closely coordinated with key development partners involved in the health sector, especially with those supporting the vaccination campaign, on risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) activities to inform all Nepali, with special attention to the poor and vulnerable, on the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic and the benefits of and access to vaccination using a variety of communication tools and techniques, including consultation. |
| During Project Implementation | Civil society organizations will raise awareness about the vaccine to all Nepali, with special attention to women, poor, and vulnerable groups, through RCCE activities implemented by UNICEF and partially funded by ADB TA. |
Investment Description
- Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Concessional ordinary capital resources lending
Contact Information
| Responsible ADB Officer | Van Dael, Rudi Louis Hendrikus |
| Responsible ADB Department | South Asia Department |
| Responsible ADB Division | Human and Social Development Division, SARD |
| Executing Agencies | Ministry of Finance Agriculture Program DMU@NTC.NET.NP The Government of Nepal Singha Durbar Kathmandu, Nepal |
Implementing Agency:
Ministry of Health and Population
Laxman Aryal
Secretary
Telephone No: +977 1 44262543 secretary@gmail.com
Ramshah Path, Kathmandu
Dr. Roshan Pokhrel, Chief Specialist
Mobile: 977-9852024180
E-mail: roshanpokhrel107@gmail.com
Asian Development Bank:
1.SAHS
Sungsup Ra
Director,
Human and Social Development Division (SAHS) Telephone No: +63 2 632 5628 sungsupra@adb.org
2.Mission Leaders
Rudi Van Dael
Principal Portfolio Management Specialist Nepal Resident Mission
Telephone: +977 1 4005120 rvandael@adb.org
Dinesh Arora
Senior Health Specialist, SAHS
Mission Leaders
Dr. Roshan Pokhrel
Chief Specialist
Mobile: 977-9852024180
E-mail: roshanpokhrel107@gmail.com
Telephone: +63 2 8632 4449
darora@adb.org
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.adb.org/forms/request-information-form
ADB has a two-stage appeals process for requesters who believe that ADB has denied their request for information in violation of its Access to Information Policy. You can learn more about filing an appeal at: https://www.adb.org/site/disclosure/appeals
ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF ADB
The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main.
