COVID-19: Kyrgyzstan scaling up its preparedness, readiness and response capacities
Since January 2020, through a series of trainings and simulation exercises, as well as delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE) and test kits, the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan, in collaboration with WHO and partners, has been taking measures to ensure the country is better equipped to respond to a COVID-19 outbreak.
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At the end of January, WHO in close collaboration with the Government of Kyrgyzstan, the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Embassy of the United Kingdom, and the French Embassy (on behalf of the European Union) conducted an interagency rapid needs assessment of preparedness for management of a COVID-19 outbreak, as well as assessing existing capacities and emerging needs of national institutions.
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Early in February, based on a request received from the Ministry of Health, the WHO Country Office in Kyrgyzstan locally procured alcohol-based hand sanitizer and masks for health professionals, who face increased risks in the frontline of combating the disease.
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In the first week of February, over 90 health professionals from critical care units, the Republican Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital, primary health care centres and 2 military hospitals completed a 2-day training on the clinical management of patients with COVID-19. The 2-day course used WHO guidance on monitoring for the disease, testing samples, treating patients, controlling infection in health centres, maintaining the right supplies and communicating with the public.
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Das WHO-Länderbüro in Kirgisistan arbeitet täglich mit den örtlichen Medien zusammen, und stellt der Allgemeinheit korrekte und zeitnahe Informationen von zuverlässigen Quellen wie der WHO und den zuständigen Gesundheitsbehörden zur Verfügung.
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The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO, led a Health Sector Group meeting dedicated to the COVID-19 virus. A series of meetings provided a platform for advocacy, information sharing and awareness raising, to strengthen coordination and enhance preparedness in line with International Health Regulations core capacities – including laboratories, risk communication and ports of entry. As a result, a country contingency plan was developed to prepare for and respond to a possible COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
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At the end of February, WHO delivered 1300 kits to test for the COVID-19 virus, as part of advance preparedness, and to ensure rapid detection and response to a possible outbreak. In addition, WHO conducted laboratory assessment and provided on-the-job training on application of the kits.
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In the third week of February, WHO conducted an assessment of 4 hospitals designated for observation and case management. The exercise was conducted to assess the country’s capacity to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak and provide recommendations for avoiding further spread of the disease among patients, visitors and medical staff.
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A simulation exercise was conducted at the start of March at Manas International Airport to test the readiness for a COVID-19 outbreak. Conducted by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with other key ministries and WHO, the exercise provided the opportunity to review the emergency response and the different elements of preparedness.
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The simulation exercise at the international airport included testing of high-level readiness on the ground, immediate clinical management, infection control and risk communication.
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A shipment of PPE was delivered at the beginning of March. The shipment, sent by the United States government through USAID in partnership with WHO, included 10 000 surgical masks and pairs of gloves, 1400 gowns and 200 pairs of protective goggles and face masks. The shipment was dispatched from WHO’s regional logistics hub in Dubai.
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The PPE will enable health-care workers and first responders throughout the country to treat patients quickly and safely. This equipment came at the request of the Kyrgyz government for its preparation efforts against the possible arrival of COVID-19. Kyrgyzstan’s Sanitary and Epidemiological Service will manage the distribution of the equipment to targeted medical facilities and international points of entry.