USAID, WHO donate personal protective equipment to Kyrgyzstan’s Health Ministry

Bishkek, Mar.11, 2020 /Kabar/. Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), together with the World Health Organization (WHO) handed over personal protective equipment to Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Health. The handing over ceremony took place as part of an early assistance package for the preparation and prevention of the spread of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the Kyrgyz Republic. The personal protective equipment was provided by the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic through the U.S. Agency for International Development in partnership with WHO. In particular, 10,000 surgical masks, 10,000 gloves, 1,400 gowns, 200 goggles and 200 FFP2 facial masks were donated to the Kyrgyz side. The donation of personal protective equipment is part of the U.S. government's initial response to the coronavirus outbreak, which has so far affected more than 100 countries worldwide. In addition to this assistance, the U.S. government announced a $37 million donation from USAID for 25 countries, including Kyrgyzstan. Deputy Health Minister Tolo Isakov said this assistance will be primarily sent to the observatories, quarantine points at the borders and hospitals, where the Kyrgyz citizens, arrived from other countries, are placed for quarantine. He added over 500 Health Ministry employees work at border crossing points, observatories, hospitals and isolation facilities.