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Reply to "Government releases information from Sputnik manufacturer confirming batch and number of vaccines sold to Guyana"

Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Statement by Leader of the Opposition Hon. Joseph Harmon APNU+AFC Coalition position unchanged on PPP acquisition of Sputnik V vaccines from Sheik Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum
In a letter to the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, dated the 19th
June 2021, I sought explanation of the purchase of 200,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccines through a third party, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, at prices significantly higher than what they are sold for by the Russian Vaccine authority.
I specifically asked that the Minister of Health provide the following information: -
(a) The quantities and batch numbers of the vaccines purchased from Sheikh Al Maktoum and/or Umaar Farooq Zahoor and their partners;
(b) Shipping information including transshipment information and the conditions under which the vaccines were stored for shipment;
(c) The procurement process utilized including the due diligence done on the supplier.
In response to our concerns, Dr. Frank Anthony published a letter dated the 22nd June, 2021, that was signed by Alexander Chistyakov, a copy of which is published in today’s Stabroek News, Page 17, June 23rd 2021.
The letter lists Mr. Christyakov as the General Director of the Russian Direct Investment Fund. However, our research has revealed so far, that the Russian Direct Investment Fund does not have such a position, and Mr. Christyakov's name is not among the senior team members listed.
The letter raises more questions than answers and is being investigated by us and our international associates.
On the 22nd of June, 2021 I wrote to the Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology , Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation in Moscow, and requested among other things information in the following terms:
“As this is a serious matter involving the health and wellness of the Guyanese citizens, over 50 % of whom I represent, I shall be grateful if the Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology can provide verification of the aforementioned information, specifically
(1) that it could not provide the Sputnik V Vaccines to the Vaccines to the Government of Guyana either directly or via the RDIF;
(2) That Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum is a duly authorized distributor of the Sputnik V Vaccine and;
(3) That Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum has been supplied with Sputnik V vaccines by the Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
Should you confirm the supply of Sputnik V to Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, I shall be grateful if you can advise of the following:
(a) The quantity of Sputnik V vaccines supplied;
(b) Date(s) of which Sputnik V vaccines were delivered;
(c) Port(s) to which Sputnik V vaccines were delivered;
(d) Date(s) of manufacturer of the Sputnik V vaccines supplied; (e) Dates(s) 0f expiry of the Sputnik V vaccines supplied
(f) Batch numbers of the Sputnik V vaccines supplied.
We await the response from the Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
We repeat our demand that Dr. Anthony provide the information on the vaccines which he claims is in his possession, and which the letter from Mr. Chistyakov, confirms the said information is in the possession of the Ministry of Health.
Our position on the matter of this batch of the Sputnik V vaccines remains unchanged. That is, suspend the administering of this batch of the vaccines to the Guyanese people until the information requested is provided. The letter by Mr. Chistyakov does not satisfy this requirement.
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