Switzerland and UNFPA to donate personal protective equipment for health workers of Kyrgyzstan to fight against COVID-19

Local news, 16.07.2020

On July 15, 2020, the Government of Switzerland in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Kyrgyzstan transferred personal protective equipment to the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Delivery of personal protective equipment to medics © UNFPA, 2020

This support in the amount of 15 million som has been provided to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in response to COVID-19. In coordination with the Ministry of Health all personal protective equipment will be allocated for equipping medical mobile teams in Chui, Naryn and Osh regions of Kyrgyzstan.

The humanitarian aid consists of the following:

• Nitrile Examine Gloves – 100 boxes;
• Isolation Gowns – 3800;
• Coveralls – 3800;
• FFP2 Face Masks – 3700;
• Surgical Masks – 5000;
• Goggles – 3800;
• Face Shields – 3800.

Having access to quality personal protective equipment and knowing how to use it correctly, healthcare workers will be protected to continue providing essential services and not be at risk for their peers, patients, families or communities thereby decreasing human-to-human transmission. 

The Embassy of Switzerland in the Kyrgyz Republic and UNFPA encourage citizens to follow all sanitary precautionary measures to help health facilities to reduce the burden.

Local news, 30.04.2020

In view of the unprecedented situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the country, the Swiss Public Service Improvement (PSI) project allocated 750,000 soms to 15 project municipalities in Jalal-Abad and Issyk-Kul regions of Kyrgyzstan.

Vulnerable people get support © Swiss Public Service Improvement project, 2020

The allocated funds were used to provide basic food and hygiene products for the vulnerable groups of population in partner municipalities, including people who have lost their source of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Unfortunately, the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has put thousands of people at risk, especially vulnerable groups, large families, and those left without income sources. That is why the help from the Public Service Improvement project is very timely and necessary,” said Akmoldoev Baktybek, Head of the Oktyabr municipality of the Aksuu district.

The representatives of local self-governments, together with district departments for social protection, prepared the lists of families who are the most in need of assistance and a list of necessary essential products. In order to ensure a safe distribution, the local governments are cooperating with local health committees and other organizations

“We are a large family with five children. Because of the coronavirus, my husband does not have a job right now, and therefore we were in urgent need for food. We express our deep gratitude on behalf of our family to our Ayil-Okmotu, the Swiss Government and Swiss project for the provided support,” said Nurzat Tologonova, a resident of Maman village of Aksuu district.

Municipalities engaged at the frontlines continue to provide support to the population and are making significant efforts to prevent further spreading of COVID-19 coronavirus.

The Public Service Improvement project is funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Helvetas Kyrgyzstan and Development Policy Institute.

The Public Service Improvement project improves living conditions of people in rural areas through improved quality of and access to public services provided by municipalities.