S'pore contributes additional $13m to global pandemic fund

Singapore has contributed an additional US$10 million (S$13 million) to the global pandemic fund, the health and finance ministries said in a joint statement on Nov 1.

- Raul Dancel

The new infusion—announced at a pledging event attended by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on the sidelines of the Group of 20 joint finance and health ministerial meeting in Brazil on Oct 31—raises Singapore's total contribution so far to US$20 million.

"This reflects our (Singapore's) continued commitment to strengthening the global health architecture in preparation for the next pandemic," Mr Ong said at the pledging event.

He suggested that the pandemic fund, to maximize its impact, should focus on two areas: global surveillance and enhancing the abilities of less-developed countries to prepare for and respond to future pandemics, especially by upgrading their manpower capabilities.