In 2020, the government of Turkmenistan spent more than $ 46 million to counter COVID-19. Such data are contained in the UN report "Shared Commitment to Achieve the SDGs" published on September 17 .
A separate section of the document is devoted to “responding to the global pandemic”. It recalls that in July 2020, a WHO technical advisory mission to Turkmenistan was organized, following which recommendations were developed. The UN and the government have shared joint development plans, including the government's Acute Communicable Disease Preparedness and Response Plan and the Urgent Action Plan for the Socio-Economic Response to the Acute Communicable Disease Pandemic.
The WHO mission, which spent 10 days in Turkmenistan, from July 5 to 15, 2020, at its final conference did not recognize, but did not deny the presence of coronavirus in the country. Their main recommendation to the government of Turkmenistan was the phrase "behave as if the coronavirus is already in the country."
Most of the activities planned under the Preparedness and Response Plan were implemented in 2020. In total, the Government has spent more than $ 46 million on the COVID-19 response, with the UN and development partners providing $ 2.5 million for Preparedness and Response Plan activities.
The following works were done:
• Strengthened capacity of health workers at all levels of health care;
• Strengthened the mechanism for managing data on acute respiratory diseases, including COVID-19;
• A mechanism for submitting clinical samples for influenza and suspected COVID-19 surveillance has been established;
• Prevention and control of infections is ensured;
• The population is being informed about the decisions taken by the government on the response measures;
• The socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on the population has been mitigated.
• Vaccination against COVID-19.
To support the implementation of the Social and Economic Response Plan in 2020, the Government, the UN and international financial institutions have allocated $ 28.8 million .
The report also notes that within the framework of this Plan, 180 different events were carried out in 2020, reaching more than 170,000 beneficiaries. In particular, the following work has been done:
• Improving the quality and access to essential health services;
• Provision of social protection and basic social services;
• Protection of jobs, support for small and medium-sized businesses and workers in the informal sector;
• Providing macroeconomic incentives and multilateral cooperation;
• Promote social cohesion and resilience at the community / local level.
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan