Dushanbe, 12th June 2020. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Tajikistan has supported the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan (MHSPP) in modernizing the Ministry’s information coordination center to strengthen rapid response to COVID-19 in the country.

Establishment of the platform is part of the MHSPP's plan for the country's preparedness and response to COVID-19 and is designed to facilitate exchange of information between regions and the capital, improve coordination between various institutional partners, and contribute to knowledge sharing with other countries.

The platform, parts of which are based in Sughd, Khatlon, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) and two centers in Dushanbe, has already been tested and the system has contributed collection and testing of data on COVID-19. The Ministry has also used the new equipment for consultation sessions between the country’s top medical experts and healthcare workers in the regions.

“Accurate numbers and information is critical to better understand trends of COVID-19 in the country and to help reduce risks. At this moment of utter emergency, UNDP’s contribution will ensure that the MoHSP has institutional capacity for timely communications between all regions and, if need be, with international counterparts for timely reaction,” Pratibha Mehta, UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan, says.

UNDP has equipped the platform with information and communications technology consisting of 146 devices, including computers, laptops, Smart Ultra HD TVs, a digital conferencing system, software, wireless microphones, cameras and an Internet connection worth $75,000.

Establishment of the platform and modernization of technological infrastructure of the Ministry’s information coordination center is the starting point for digitization and unification of the country's healthcare system.

“Several video conferences were already held with the participation of medical professionals from China, Uzbekistan and the heads and employees of hospitals in cities and districts of the country as experience sharing sessions in COVID-19 prevention and treatment of infected patients. Additionally, a number of online trainings were conducted with the participation of ministry’s leading specialists and doctors in different cities and districts through this center in order to reduce the mortality rate of COVID-19. Scientists of the field gave useful recommendations for treatment of critically ill patients in intensive care units,” Saida Umarzoda, the First Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population has said, highlighting the importance of having such a platform.

For more details:

Emomali Mirzoev, Director of the Press Center of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan: emomali-mirzoev1994@mail.ru

Safarbek Soliev, UNDP Public Affairs Analyst: safarbek.soliev@undp.org