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US donates critical laboratory equipment to Kazakhstan for COVID-19 fight

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Kazakh medics hold COVID-19 laboratory supplies donated by the American people in an undated photo. [US embassy in Kazakhstan]

Kazakh medics hold COVID-19 laboratory supplies donated by the American people in an undated photo. [US embassy in Kazakhstan]

ALMATY -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently delivered laboratory equipment and supplies to help Kazakhstan battle the COVID-19 pandemic, the US embassy in Kazakhstan said in a statement Monday (June 22).

The supplies, valued at $300,000 (120.9 million KZT), came through USAID's Local Health System Sustainability Project (LHSSP).

"Access to accurate and rapid COVID-19 testing is critical in stopping the spread of the virus. We are working closely with the government of Kazakhstan to protect the well-being and lives of everyone in Kazakhstan," said William Moser, the US ambassador to Kazakhstan.

Tests for detecting COVID-19

Supplies received by the Kazakh Healthcare Ministry include laboratory reagents to support reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests, one of the most reliable lab methods for detecting and tracking the virus that causes COVID-19.

USAID has partnered with the Kazakh government to identify priority areas of support. It will continue delivering essential lab supplies through the LHSSP.

More lab supplies valued at more than $2 million (805.9 million KZT) are expected to reach Kazakhstan in the third quarter of 2020.

USAID is co-operating with Kazakh officials to identify needed commodities.

So far, the US government has provided more than $5.7 million (2.3 billion KZT) in aid to help fight the novel coronavirus in Kazakhstan. The aid addresses immediate Kazakh needs while building on existing strategies that uphold the resilience of the Kazakh public health system.

ADB aids Tajikistan

Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is aiding Tajikistan's fight against the virus.

The Manila-based bank approved a $50 million (515.2 million TJS) grant to the Tajik government, the ADB said in a statement June 18.

"This grant will help finance the government’s critical measures to strengthen the health system, expand social assistance for poor and vulnerable groups, ensure food security, and safeguard small businesses," said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa in the statement.

"The grant will provide budget support to the government and help fund its comprehensive response plan and countercyclical measures," the statement added.

Details include pay raises for all front-line COVID-19 medical staff in Tajikistan. At least 80% of them are women.

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Good job, USA. Better than in Russia

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Who cares about Russia? It has sold off its last pair of pants to the Americans and Europeans.

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There are some people here willing to sell Russia out to the Anglo-Saxons like Ukraine and Kazakhstan... They are worried deeply about their masters because of the riots raging in the USA.

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