Ashgabat, 21 September 2021: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan has signed an Output Agreement with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan for the implementation of the country’s COVID19 Response project financed by the World Bank to reinforce the country’s response and preparedness to the pandemic.

With a budget of $20 million, it is expected that the activities within the project will help the country respond and prepare for COVID19 pandemic focusing on strengthening the national testing and treatment capacities, upgrading the skills of medical workers, procuring of reagents, medicines and medical equipment, and addressing the related health and social risks. The project will support introduction of digital solutions for surveillance of infectious diseases.

In the long-term perspective, the project aims at comprehensive strengthening of the national health care system for effective response to pandemics.

The project will support the realization of the Preparedness and Response Plan of Turkmenistan to Acute Infectious Disease (CPRP) implemented in partnership with the UN Agencies in Turkmenistan, which identifies joined preventive and response measures to combat COVID-19.

“We are honored to be part of this important life-saving initiative to help the country to strengthen its health sector capacities in view of the global pandemics” – said Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP RR a.i in Turkmenistan. “UNDP stands ready, together with other partners, to continue its efforts on mitigating the impact of the global pandemic by bringing its best resources, knowledge and expertise based on the fundamental principle of 2030 Agenda – Living no one behind.”