As part of joint efforts to strengthen the national capacity of Tajikistan in preparedness and response to the potential spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-2019), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and UNICEF Tajikistan on March 16 distributed medical supplies to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan.
The supplies, worth $50,000, were procured with technical support from UNICEF Tajikistan and the financial support of the SDC, according to press release issued by UNICEF Tajikistan.
The supplies reportedly include 5,000 disposable gowns, 1,840 disposable coveralls, 10,000 sanitary gloves, 3,900 masks, 200 pairs of waterproof boots, and sanitizers.
“Last week the World Health Organization has attributed the status of pandemic to the COVID-19 infection. All countries worldwide have to act immediately in order to contain the spread of this virus. Ministries of Health have a leading role in prevention and response to the disease. Switzerland wants to support the Tajik Government in this endeavor. The Tajik authorities have already taken measures to obtain the test kits, create stocks of drugs, sanitary and hygiene materials and food stocks. In such an emergency, it is not the sole responsibility of health workers or other authorities and institutions to fight the virus. All citizens have to be aware of their role and have to behave in accordance with the prevention guidelines. We can fight the virus if we act fast, adequately and jointly,” – noted the Head of the Swiss Cooperation Office (SSO) in Tajikistan, Ms. Walburga Ross.
“Frontline medical workers who are also parents and have children of their own are the real heroes in these circumstances and we are grateful to the Swiss Cooperation in supporting preparedness of the health system in Tajikistan to be adequately and sufficiently equipped to respond to the COVID 19 threat,”- said Mr. Luciano Calestini, Representative of UNICEF in Tajikistan.
In addition, UNICEF and the SDC have developed informational materials on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus. These materials have been shared with the Ministry of Health and will be distributed in public places, institutions and on public transport throughout the country.
Taking into account the potential threat the virus poses to children and families – and although thus far, according to official Ministry of Health data, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus infection in Tajikistan –UNICEF and other development partners will continue to support the Tajik government in preparing and responding to the potential spread of the disease.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is the technical authority of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation. SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of activities in developing countries and countries of Eastern Europe, as well as for humanitarian assistance from Switzerland.
Within its Cooperation Strategy for 2017-2021 for Central Asia, Switzerland focuses on four sectors in Tajikistan, such as a) Water, Infrastructure and Climate Change; b) Health; c) Governance, Institutions and Decentralization; d) Employment and Economic Development. The overall goal of the Swiss Cooperation in Tajikistan is peace and social cohesion as well as responsive and inclusive institutions and sustainable development improve the population’s well-being.
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything it does. Together with its partners, UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. UNICEF operates in Tajikistan since 1993.
