Dushanbe, Tajikistan March 12, 2020 – Acting Country Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Tajikistan Ms. Katherine Owens, and World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office Head, Dr. Galina Perfilieva, handed over personal protective equipment to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan at a ceremony in Dushanbe today as part of the United States’ assistance to Tajikistan to prepare for any potential spread of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19.

The U.S. government also announced a commitment of $37 million in funds from the USAID Emergency Reserve Fund for Contagious Infectious Diseases for 25 countries, to include Tajikistan, affected by COVID-19 or at high risk of its spread.  These are the first U.S. government funds committed from the pledge of up to $100 million announced by the U.S. Department of State on February 7, 2020.

The personal protective equipment made possible through the generous support of the American people and donated by the United States through USAID includes 12,000 surgical masks, 12,000 examination gloves, 1,400 surgical gowns, and 400 safety goggles.  This equipment will be distributed to health facilities and provinces across the country.

“This equipment and assistance funds represent an important continuation of our partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population.  We are preparing ourselves to combat this global health crisis together, and we support the Government of Tajikistan’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Acting Country Director of USAID in Tajikistan Ms. Katherine Owens.  “These critical commodities will protect medical professionals and health workers who work with patients under quarantine, while the additional funds will support the Government of Tajikistan’s efforts to prevent and detect potential cases of COVID-19.”

“The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population is making every possible effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Tajikistan and considers the generous support of the American people through USAID as timely and valuable,” noted the Deputy Minister Mirhamuddin Kamolzoda.

Although there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tajikistan, The personal protective equipment will protect and enable health workers throughout the country to respond quickly and safely to treat any potential COVID-19 patients in Tajikistan. This assistance package comes at the request of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health.

In addition to this emergency assistance, the United States partners with the Government of Tajikistan to ensure high quality, evidence-based, and cost-efficient health care services to improve public health in the country. These include long-term efforts to control the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis, reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, improve the health status of women and children by providing maternal child health services, and improve nutrition.

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