On 1 March 2024, the WHO Country Office in Kyrgyzstan donated kits for providing emergency medical care in emergencies and natural disasters, to the Department of Disaster Medicine and Emergency Advisory Medical Care of the National Hospital, under the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan.
This humanitarian aid includes medical supplies, such as sutures, anaesthesia materials and surgical drains, as well as kits for sterilization and intubation (with a laryngoscope), general surgery kits and various other supplies. The cargo was shipped from the WHO regional logistics hub in Dubai, with a total weight exceeding 240 kg and a cost of more than US$ 37 000.
The transferred supplies are designed to provide medical care for injuries and surgical pathologies, in field conditions, for more than a hundred people. The official handover ceremony was attended by the heads of the National Hospital and WHO staff.
The National Hospital’s chief physician, Dr Bakyt Tologonov, expressed gratitude to WHO for supporting and strengthening emergency preparedness in the country. Dr Liviu Vedrasco, WHO Representative to Kyrgyzstan, emphasized WHO’s readiness to provide further support to Kyrgyzstan and noted the importance of strengthening emergency preparedness in the field of health care and implementation of international health regulations, which will help the country to respond effectively during emergencies.
The supplies transferred meet WHO quality and safety standards and will be used by United Nations agencies, nongovernmental organizations and government bodies.