UNICEF procured 10,000 antigen rapid diagnostic tests to help Kyrgyzstan respond to the COVID-19 pandemic
10,000 Antigen rapid diagnostic COVID-19 tests were handed over to the Ministry of Health to help respond to the pandemic.
Bishkek, December 15, 2020 – The 10,000 antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests worth $59,700, were delivered to the Ministry of Health, with the support of UNICEF and the World Bank. These tests will be used by the Ministry of Health to support its ongoing efforts to respond to the pandemic.
The hand-over was attended by Abdykadyr Joroev, the Director of the Center for State Sanitary and Epidemiological Control under the Ministry of Health and Yulia Oleinik, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Kyrgyzstan.
The antigen-based rapid diagnostic COVID-19 tests were procured by UNICEF through its global supply and procurement facility in Copenhagen, hosting the world’s largest humanitarian warehouse. Funding from the World Bank supported the logistic and transport costs.
According to the interim WHO guidelines, these antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests, when used correctly, represent an acceptable alternative diagnostic approach to the preferred method for laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19, through PCR tests.
Where there is widespread community transmission, rapid diagnostic tests may be used for early detection and isolation of positive cases in health facilities, COVID-19 testing centres/sites, care homes, prisons, schools, front-line and health-care workers and for contact tracing.[1]
On 14 December, front-line health workers, health coordinators, staff from the national laboratory services, Ministry of Health and Médecins San Frontiers were trained on the use of the rapid diagnostic tests.
UNICEF will continue to support the Government in the COVID-19 response by providing essential supplies to those working at the frontlines, as well as supporting the overall socioeconomic response measures to ensure that every child can survive and thrive.
In addition, as part of the overall response plan to COVID-19, UNICEF contributes to government efforts by supporting the national communication campaign “Sakta”, focused on raising awareness on COVID-19 and prevent further spreading.
[1] “Antigen-detection in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection using rapid immunoassays”, Interim Guidance, WHO, 11 September 2020
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