DUSHANBE, 22.10.2020 (NIAT Khovar) –  Visiting medical expert from Germany Immanuel Leifer has shared his experience in diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection with his Tajik colleagues, in particular with the National Reference Laboratory for Public Health. The exchange of experience is being held within the framework of the transfer of technical know-how, organizational support and advanced training for medical professionals through 2 November. 

Immanuel Leifer handed over 3,000 COVID-19 diagnostic testing to further improve the work of the National Reference Laboratory for Public Health.

CENTOGENE announced on its website that it is expanding its ongoing development cooperation with the Tajik Ministry of Health and Social Protection to support anti-COVID-19 measures. The cooperation project supports access to test materials and laboratory equipment for SARS-CoV-2 tests — funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The project will enable Tajikistan to expand its testing capacity and help identify COVID-19 patients in a timely manner. This will make it possible to control infection chains and limit the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. Under this non-profit project, the National Reference Laboratory in Dushanbe received reagents, laboratory equipment, swabs, and transport systems for qPCR tests.

«We have gained valuable experience in the ongoing cooperation with CENTOGENE. That is why we very much welcome this initiative to improve COVID-19 diagnosis for patients in Tajikistan,» said Dr. Gafur Muhsinzoda, Tajikistan’s First Deputy Health Minister.

Professor Arndt Rolfs, CEO of CENTOGENE, that the  «co-financing partnership is an innovative way to work closely with the public sector and support countries that need urgent assistance to address key health problems. In the current crisis, it is important to work closely together to diagnose patients as early as possible.»

Tajikistan is actively cooperating with the World Health Organization and its international partners in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. After the pandemic Qbegan, Tajik doctors exchanged views and experiences with their foreign colleagues. While helping their Tajik colleagues in different regions of Tajikistan, they also studied the different manifestations of the new type of coronavirus. Such exchanges are important for the rapid detection of the virus and provide important information when developing appropriate vaccines.