DUSHANBE, 03.03.2022 (NIAT Khovar) – On March 1, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over a number of laboratory supplies to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan to identify new strains of COVID-19.

The handover ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population Abdukholik Amirzoda, representatives of USAID in Tajikistan, and other officials.

One of the priorities in the fight against infectious diseases is the identification of pathogens using tests. On this basis, in 2021, through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Central Asia, Tajikistan was provided with four sets of HRT/PCR virological laboratories with three polymerase chain devices, which were delivered, installed and put into operation in Panjikent, Isfara, Istaravshan and Kubodiyon.

One of the issues currently highlighted by the World Health Organization as a priority in the fight against infectious diseases is the exact determination of the form and group of pathogens of infectious diseases by sequencing (determining their amino acid or nucleotide sequence).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States provided humanitarian assistance to Tajikistan in the fight against coronavirus infection as part of bilateral cooperation. In particular, the necessary amount of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines was delivered to the country in a timely manner as humanitarian aid.