LocationsWHO and UNDP join forces with Kazakhstan in a new initiative to boost pandemic preparedness and health infrastructure
September 16, 2024
The Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the WHO Country Office in Kazakhstan, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing Kazakhstan’s health security and preparedness. This initiative will be driven by a comprehensive upgrade of critical health infrastructure, supported by a three-year grant from the Pandemic Fund.
“The 2020 pandemic has shown that when health is at risk, all areas of activity are at risk. We are well aware of the importance of timely detection of threats or infectious agents, timely information and implementation of measures to prevent the spread of diseases in the country and thus ensure safety in the world,”said Zaure Akhmetova, Deputy Chair of the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
This collaboration marks a significant step in bolstering Kazakhstan's preparedness for potential pandemics. The partnership will focus on enhancing local capabilities and upgrading infrastructure to better manage and respond to infectious disease threats.
“Health infrastructure is a crucial element of quality healthcare and a fundamental pillar of emergency preparedness and response. It is therefore vital to apply the lessons learned from the pandemic to drive lasting improvements in essential infrastructure,”said Dr. Skender Syla, WHO Representative in Kazakhstan.
Key components of the initiative include the renovation and modernization of the virological laboratory in Almaty and the construction of a new virological laboratory in Turkestan. Both facilities will incorporate SMART (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) principles and “green” technologies to ensure sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Additionally, the National Research Centre for Problems of Especially Dangerous Infections will undergo substantial renovations to improve the infrastructure, functionality, and safety standards of its virological and bacteriological laboratories.
The project also encompasses the modernization of sanitary and quarantine checkpoints across Kazakhstan. These upgrades aim to enhance disease surveillance, improve control measures, and ensure sustained readiness to tackle public health challenges effectively.
“This partnership underscores a united effort to enhance Kazakhstan’s health system security and set a new benchmark for pandemic response capabilities in the region,”said Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.
By advancing these critical areas, the partnership reaffirms its commitment to strengthening Kazakhstan’s health systems and ensuring the country is well-prepared to manage and mitigate future pandemics.
The project is expected to be completed within one year and three months. The modernization will adhere to international standards for health infrastructure.
Pandemic Fund:
In 2023 the Board of Governors of the Pandemic Fund approved the allocation of grants designed to increase resilience to future pandemics in different countries, including Kazakhstan. The Pandemic Fund grant target the most important tasks in the public health system of Kazakhstan, especially in the field of epidemiological surveillance, border control (Kazakhstan has extensive borders with China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), laboratory safety, early detection and response, as well as staff training.
It is important to note, that the Pandemic Fund, established in September 2022 and officially affirmed at the G20 Summit in Bali, chaired by Indonesia, is the first multilateral financial mechanism designed to provide long-term grant funding to help low and middle-income countries in order to increase their preparedness for future pandemics.
More information here.
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