UN wants special body to oversee vaccine programs

Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star ) - December 14, 2020 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — As the COVID-19 pandemic could also create new opportunities for corruption, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recommended to member states the creation of a specialized committee to oversee emergency funds and vaccine deployment with a strong anti-corruption mandate to supervise vaccine programs. In its recently published policy paper outlining ways to identify and mitigate corruption risks related to the manufacture, allocation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, UNODC said the body could also act as a critical oversight body during a public health emergency. “In the context of these significant challenges, it is suggested that member states consider the immediate and long-term response measures to identify and mitigate corruption risks that may compromise the access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines by the population,” the policy paper read in part. It added that the committee’s functions should “include the capability to monitor the emergency disbursements of funds, the purchase of vaccines, and the distribution of vaccines and related processes in real time so that any red flags can be identified and addressed quickly.” The UNODC also suggested comprehensive auditing, oversight, accountability and reporting mechanisms to monitor the disbursement process and verify appropriate receipt as it noted the massive financial resources allocated to the deployment of any COVID-19 vaccine globally. The policy paper cited that in the Philippines, emergency legislation has established a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee requiring the President to submit weekly reports to Congress about the allocation and use of funds dedicated to addressing the coronavirus pandemic. UNODC also recommended to member states a transparent and accountable public emergency procurement processes, saying this is vital during a pandemic and can be fostered through open contracting and e-procurement. Open contracting may be effective at reducing corruption because it provides the public with information about who is buying what, from whom, at what price and quantity. In addition, e-procurement can be effective at tackling corruption. It allows for the public dissemination of relevant data, such as the bidding and awarding of contracts through a dedicated website, thereby ensuring the element of transparency. The UNODC said timely corruption risk assessments within health ministries or agencies entrusted with the procurement and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines will mitigate potential corruption risks during vaccine distribution procedures. In his statement on corruption in the context of COVID-19, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored that “(corruption) is even more damaging in times of crisis – as the world is experiencing now with the COVID-19 pandemic.” Guterres also noted that the pandemic is creating new opportunities for corruption. Corruption risks related to the manufacture, acquisition and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines can threaten economies and public health systems worldwide. These risks include the entry of substandard and falsified vaccines into markets, the theft of vaccines within distribution systems, leakages in emergency funding designated for the development and distribution of vaccines, nepotism, favoritism and corrupt procurement systems.