Press Release

WHO delivers personal protective equipment to Kyrgyzstan to combat COVID-19

16 July 2020

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan - Today, The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic within the framework COVID-19 response in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Personal protective equipment is being provided under the WHO pipeline. PPE shipment includes 46,200 face shields; 14,600 goggles; gown 57,000; 150,000 KN95 respiratory masks. The total cost of humanitarian aid comprises 508,078.24 USD.

This personal protective equipment will enable to provide safe and effective work of healthcare workers. across the country. These items are supplied upon the request of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to support COVID-19 response. The Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic plans to distribute the PPEs to over 20 hospitals across the country.

“Today WHO is handing over the 10-tonne personal protective equipment to the Ministry of Health to support the country healthcare system, particularly the health workers who are on the front-line”, - highlighted Dr Tasnim Atatrah, WHO Health Emergency Central Asia Hub Coordinator and Acting WHO Representative in Kyrgyzstan. “WHO has had a long-standing relationship with the Ministry of Health and Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and will continue to provide technical support and guidance”. 

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO had delivered to Kyrgyzstan personal protective equipment and provided PCR test kits for COVID-19 response and laboratory confirmation of positive results. In addition, WHO had handed over supplies of laboratory consumables for sample collection and testing (tubes, swabs, kits, reagents, etc.).

WHO supports the Ministry of Health with e-learning training cycles for healthcare workers, including laboratory, primary health, hospital and public health specialists to respond to COVID-19.  

Information: this assistance is provided as part of the joint humanitarian response under the Disaster Response Coordination Unit, which was activated on 16 March 2020 following the request of the Government to assist her in emergency preparedness and response for COVID-19 and setting a stage for early recovery. Chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator, the DRCU prioritizes and channels its support under six priority sectors: early recovery, education, food security and logistics, health, protection, and joint sector for water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and non-food items (NFI). The DRCU was set up in 2008 and its inter-agency teams comprise representatives of government ministries, UN agencies, international and local NGOs and representatives of donor community.

Follow the news via information portals of the UN in the Kyrgyz Republic:

Telegram: @covid19unkg   

Facebook: @UN.Kyrgyzstan 

Twitter: @un_kyrgyzstan 

Instagram: @un_kyrgyzstan  



 

Almaz Zhumaliev

Almaz Zhumaliev

WHO
Communications Officer

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