The European Union Delegation to Tajikistan in close partnership with UNICEF Tajikistan and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan has completed the first batch of the distribution of personal protective equipment to frontline medical professionals critical in the country’s battle against COVID-19, the European Union (EU) Delegation to Tajikistan said on June 11.

The Delegation of the European Union in Tajikistan together with UNICEF Tajikistan and Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan (MoHSPP) are reportedly finalizing the distribution of the first 24.7 tons delivered as part of the European Union’s contribution to Tajikistan's emergency COVID-19 response.

The distribution of personal protective equipment more specifically includes thermometers, protective overalls, and N95/FFP type masks that will be delivered to 153 prioritized hospitals all across the country.  The list of hospitals has been identified by a MoHSPP and has been drawn up according to urgent needs, available stocks and the principle of non-duplication of support from other donors.

The supplies have been delivered directly to hospitals by the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan, in line with the attached distribution list. Additional medical equipment and materials provided by the Swiss Development Agency for Cooperation in Tajikistan have also been distributed at the same time in the spirit of strengthening partnerships to support the Government of Tajikistan in fighting the Covid19 pandemic.

Recall, a shipment organized by UNICEF Tajikistan and financed by the European Delegation in Tajikistan of approximately 13 tons of vital medical supplies arrived in Dushanbe on May 18.  The shipment included essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and comprises 36,250 protective coveralls, 40,320 N95 medical masks, and 720 thermometers.  This shipment was the first out of four organized by the European Union and UNICEF and made up 30% of the agreed 64 tons worth of equipment procured by UNICEF as part of the European Union's contribution to Tajikistan's emergency COVID-19 response.