WHO provided the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan with reagents capable of conducting 1700 tests for the early detection of the mpox virus using the polymerase chain reaction method. The official handing over ceremony took place in the Department for Disease Prevention and State Sanitary Epidemiological Surveillance (DDP&SSES) on 5 December 2024.
The support also included essential consumables, such as disposable medical shoe covers, gowns, gloves, caps, test tubes, and other necessary supplies. This shipment was provided as humanitarian aid by the WHO through the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund under the “Preparing and responding to pandemics using the One Health approach” programme. The total value of materials handed over is more than US$ 20 000.
“WHO and its partners continue to support Kyrgyzstan in strengthening its preparedness and response to infectious threats. Access to modern laboratory capacities is a key element in protecting public health,” said Dr Liviu Vedrasco, WHO Representative to Kyrgyzstan.
“The donated materials will help strengthen laboratory capacity and improve early detection of mpox virus, which is essential to prevent the spread of the infection,” added Abdikadir Zhoroev, Director of the DDP&SSES.
Ongoing support
WHO continues to provide technical support to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health and health workers, providing them with up-to-date evidence-based information, recommendations and guidelines on mpox prevention, laboratory diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, WHO has provided printed materials, adapted jointly with the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health, to inform the population about the risks associated with mpox. These have been distributed at points of entry to the country.