US donates 1,000 COVID-19 tests to Uzbekistan, allocates more aid to Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN -- The United States is continuing to provide aid to Central Asian states to support their efforts against the spread of COVID-19.

The US Defence Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) recently donated 1,000 coronavirus tests to the Uzbek Ministry of Health, the US Embassy in Tashkent said in a statement Monday (April 27).

The donation was made in conjunction with practical training provided by specialists from DTRA's prime contractor in Tashkent, TMC Global Professional Services, which taught Uzbeks how to increase the testing capacity of the ministry's diagnostic laboratories.

The training refreshed the skills of five experienced ministry professionals who then trained 17 laboratory specialists on the polymerase chain reaction testing technique, the only World Health Organisation-recommended method for novel coronavirus detection, according to the statement.

The training began April 7 at the Tashkent Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education (TIPME) and was then expanded to include the Republican Centre for the Prevention of Plague, Quarantine, and Most Hazardous Infections Laboratory (CPPQMHI) in Tashkent, Bukhara and Nukus.

Remote access equipment provided to TIPME by DTRA also enabled additional training to laboratories outside Tashkent.

Earlier this month, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) delivered more than 131,000kg of food worth $400,000 (4 billion UZS) to Uzbekistan for more than 35,000 Uzbeks, including those who have fallen on hard times since the pandemic, the US Embassy in Uzbekistan said in a statement April 16.

Life-saving support

On April 22, the DTRA delivered medical products to Kazakhstan, including reusable sets of personal protective equipment -- suits, masks, gloves and goggles -- the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The same day, USAID allocated an additional $800,000 (343.8 million KZT) to combat COVID-19 in Kazakhstan, the US Embassy in Kazakhstan said in a statement.

The United States is providing critical, life-saving support by co-ordinating with the Kazakh government, international humanitarian partners and local stakeholders to identify priority areas for investment, the statement said.

"Kazakhstan is taking decisive action to stop the spread of the virus. In the fight against COVID-19, the US Government stands with Kazakhstan and other partners around the world. We need to join forces as the international community," said US Ambassador to Kazakhstan William Moser in the statement.

In early April, USAID allocated an initial $800,000 to fight the coronavirus epidemic in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan used the money to organise laboratory work and large-scale testing for preventing the spread of infection in medical institutions and to combat misinformation about the virus.

Earlier, on March 17, the United States delivered personal protective equipment to Kazakhstan, including 21,000 examination gloves, masks, gowns and goggles.

"Kazakh doctors are now on the front line of the fight against the coronavirus. They are fighting for human lives," said Meruert Abdualiyeva, a doctor from Shymkent.

"In these conditions, they themselves are in danger of infection. The protective equipment, ventilators and other help are very important for us," she said.

Meanwhile, USAID has delivered 56 tonnes of food to Tajikistan, worth more than $171,000 (1.8 million TJS), which will be sent to more than 100 institutions, including those where patients are quarantined in connection with the pandemic, the US Embassy in Tajikistan said in a statement April 9.

USAID gave more than 66 million KGS ($840,000) to three institutions in Kyrgyzstan that are involved in the fight against the coronavirus, the US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan said in a statement March 20.

Personal protective equipment from the United States reached Kyrgyzstan -- 10,000 masks, 10,000 gloves, 1,400 gowns, and 200 protective goggles.

Holy month of Ramadan

The delivery of aid to Central Asian countries coincided with the onset of the holy month of Ramadan.

"Now we are living in a difficult time, faced with the ... spread of the coronavirus. Because of the quarantine, the doors of mosques are closed, but our hearts are not closed to good deeds. This should be remembered especially now, during the holy month," said Birjan Majenov, an assistant imam from Almaty Province, Kazakhstan.

"We need to do good deeds and accept help with a pure heart and pure thoughts," he said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo extended well wishes to Muslims around the world and noted the importance of joining forces in this difficult period.

"This year, COVID-19 has abruptly changed the gatherings and celebrations of many Muslims throughout the world... We urge all governments and communities to use this time to focus on service and unity, to keep in mind the health and safety of the most vulnerable and the marginalised as we continue to fight to stop the COVID-19 crisis," Pompeo said in a statement April 23 published on the website of the US Embassy in Kazakhstan.

He wished "a blessed and peaceful Ramadan" to Muslim communities celebrating around the world, in spite of the restrictions.