An initiative aimed at safeguarding the health of Kyrgyzstan’s citizens amidst escalating global health challenges has been initiated in the country, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. The launch of the Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Programme signals a concerted effort involving the Government of Kyrgyzstan, WHO, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and other key stakeholders.
The programme targets critical areas of health identified by Kyrgyzstan, which include tracking and mitigating antimicrobial resistance, monitoring zoonotic diseases, fortifying national laboratory systems and disease surveillance, enhancing the capacity of the healthcare workforce, devising risk communication and community engagement strategies, and strengthening health emergency management protocols.
At its heart, the programme embraces the globally recognized “One Health” approach, emphasizing the intricate interplay between human, animal, and environmental health. This comprehensive strategy necessitates close cooperation among various governmental bodies, notably the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Regional Development; and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision.
The United States Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Lesslie Viguerie, underscored the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration.
“Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful country where people, animals, environment, agriculture, and culture are closely intertwined, and we need to work together across sectors to contribute to a stronger, healthier, and more resilient nation,” Lesslie Viguerie noted.
Addressing the pressing health challenges facing the nation, Kyrgyzstan has demonstrated its commitment to the global health security agenda by becoming the first country among the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region to undergo the second round of the Joint External Evaluation (JEE).
This voluntary, collaborative process assesses countries' capacities to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to public health risks. Amanda Shriwise, WHO Adviser on Health Policy, commended Kyrgyzstan's efforts, citing the development of a comprehensive 7-year National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) as evidence of the country's dedication to enhancing its public health infrastructure.
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