Essential medicines worth $100,000 to treat patients with COVID-19 to be delivered to the Ministry of Health with the support of the European Union and UNICEF

Bishkek, 18 November 2020 – The Ministry of Health received today medicines to the value of $100,000 to treat patients with COVID-19, including heparin and antibiotics, procured by UNICEF with European Union funding.

This procurement is due to a specific request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic to support the response to COVID-19 and address the shortage of essential medicines. The Ministry of Health confirmed the list of the most needed medicine for the country in line with the national clinical protocol to manage patients with COVID-19.

The supplies include 1,000 packages of Co-Amoxiclav, 500 packages of Ceftriaxone and 1,000 of Heparin. 1,000 more packages of Co-Amoxiclav will arrive to the country in February 2021.

The handover ceremony was attended by Timurlan Kisanov, Director of Medical Supply of the Ministry of Health, Charlotte Adriaen, Head of the Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Kyrgyzstan, and Yulia Oleinik, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Kyrgyzstan.

The supplies are part of the project “Enhancing emergency response in Health and Water and Sanitation for sustained prevention and control of COVID-19 in Kyrgyzstan”, funded by ECHO, the European Union Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid Operations for a total of €298,551.

Another important part of the project focuses on developing and implementing Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) measures: it is planned that 1,500 healthcare workers working in 187 hospitals will be trained and receive mentoring on IPC. Selected health care facilities will also be supplied with tools and instruments for improved IPC measures, along with support for effective water, sanitation and hygiene management.

UNICEF will contribute to the project with its ongoing work for the national communication campaign “Sakta”, focused on raising awareness on COVID-19 and prevent further spreading.

The European Union mobilized more than EUR 36 Million to support Kyrgyzstan in the response to COVID-19. The support is a comprehensive response directed towards supporting health system and capacities, crisis management, macro-financial stability, social protection, food security and support to the private sector.

UNICEF will continue supporting the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing essential supplies to support those working on the frontlines of the response, as well as supporting the overall welfare of every woman, child and family.

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Notes to editors:

About the EU

The European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic have been partners since the country gained independence in 1991 and have continued to increase their cooperation and areas of interaction year-on-year. In the 2014-2020 period, the overall EU support to Kyrgyzstan amounted to EUR 263 Million, focusing on promoting sustainable development, education, rule of law, integrated rural development, and assisting the development of basic service infrastructure as well as supporting SMEs.

For more information about the European Union visit our website and Facebook.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

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For more information about COVID-19 and guidance on how to protect children and families, visit our website