World Health Organization (WHO) provided over 1.5 million medical masks to Kyrgyzstan
19 October 2020
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – WHO handed over 1,537,500 pieces of medical masks to the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic. The total cost of humanitarian aid comprises around 460 thousand US dollars. Current medical masks are provided through the "Alibaba" Foundation in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and will be distributed among medical institutions across the country to protect health workers at primary health care, hospitals and laboratories.
“By wearing a mask, you’re sending a powerful message to those around you that we’re all in this together,” - highlighted Dr Nazira Artykova, WHO Representative in Kyrgyzstan. “Wear a mask when appropriate, keep your physical distance from others and avoid crowded places. Observe coughing etiquette, clear your hands frequently and you’ll be protecting yourself and others.”
Also, in September, WHO donated 1,000 PCR test systems to the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic to conduct 50,000 studies on COVID-19. The total cost of humanitarian aid is US $ 1 million. These test systems were included in the WHO list of recommended for use in emergency situations for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, have 95% specificity and high sensitivity.
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.
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.
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