3 October 2021, Khojeili district, Karakalpakstan. Today, the United Nations Development Programme has started training course on «The consequences of COVID-19: How to cope with anxiety, depression" for Community Health Volunteers. The one-day trainings were initiated within the Joint Programme of UNDP and UNFPA "Building resilience of local communities against health, environmental and economic insecurities  in the Aral Sea region ", funded by the Government of Japan, and will be held in 11 pilot districts of Karakalpakstan: Muynak, Kungrad, Kanlikul, Shumanai, Khojeili, Kegeili, Chimbay, Karauzyak, Takhtakupir and Nukus.

The training will raise awareness of volunteers about post-covid depression, help to detect symptoms in the population in a timely manner and provide assistance to the population. At the training, volunteers will identify the cause of anxiety and depressive disorders associated with COVID-19 disease and learn about preventive measures to prevent mental deterioration during the pandemic.

More than 240 volunteers from 11 target districts, including the district medical association's chief nurses, will participate in the event. The training is expected to raise volunteers' awareness about post-pandemic depression and disseminate it to the population, thus contributing to reducing the negative effects associated with COVID-19.  

It should be noted that to date, 2,081 volunteers in the aforementioned districts have tirelessly contributed to public health by educating the public on the prevention of pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal diseases and on maternal and child health promotion.

In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers actively engaged in community prevention activities to help residents withstand the coronavirus, informing about precautions and respiratory hygiene practices.