UNICEF delivers personal protective equipment to support the protection of medical workers

Ashgabat, 1 December – This week, UNICEF delivered personal protective equipment (PPE) items to be further distributed among medical workers of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.   The PPEs worth USD 225 000 include coveralls, masks, face shields, gowns, gloves and goggles. The items have been donated as part of ongoing support to the Government of Turkmenistan for the implementation of the Country Preparedness and Response Plan to Acute Infectious Diseases. 

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues around the globe, it becomes very clear that personal protective equipment is a crucial component of the ongoing prevention and response. And it is our responsibility to safeguard the health of medical workers.”  – says Alexandru Nartea, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Turkmenistan.

UNICEF has been supporting Turkmenistan with delivery of essential medical equipment and hygiene supplies since the pandemic emerged globally and will continue this assistance to overcome this unprecedented challenge.

In addition, the same charter flight delivered 4 essential vaccines against Hepatitis A, Seasonal Influenza, TCV and HPV for routine immunization as a part of the long-standing partnership between the Government of Turkmenistan and UNICEF on delivering essential vaccines for children. This is the third shipment of the year, which fulfils UNICEF commitment for procurement and delivery of vaccines for 2021 and will ensure uninterrupted vaccination of children in the country. 

The procurement of vaccines and vaccine related supplies is fully financed by the Government of Turkmenistan and routine vaccination is available free of charge to all children in the country. UNICEF provides procurement services to the Government and ensures that high-quality, low cost WHO-pre-qualified vaccines and safe injection and cold chain equipment are purchased and delivered to Turkmenistan.