Bishkek, Dec. 7, 2020. /Kabar/. 21,000 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 diagnostic tests, together with kits for laboratory disposables to conduct these tests, were delivered to the Ministry of Health on December 4, with the support of the World Bank and UNICEF, the press service of UNICEF Kyrgyzstan reported on Monday.
These PCR tests and kits for laboratory disposables will be used by the Ministry of Health to support its ongoing efforts to respond to the pandemic. Currently, the Ministry conducts 1,500 – 4,000 PCR tests per day.
These PCR tests, worth $291,383, were financed through an insurance payout from the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility, housed in the World Bank. The Facility was launched in 2016 to provide an additional source of financing to the eligible countries when they face cross-border, large-scale outbreaks. UNICEF, through its global supply and procurement facility in Copenhagen, hosting the world’s largest humanitarian warehouse, procured the tests on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
In addition, on the framework of the same project, 58,000 pairs of boot covers and 58,000 pairs of gloves were delivered to the Ministry of Health with the support of the World Bank and UNICEF.
The World Bank is also supporting the Ministry of Health through two COVID-19 related Projects. The Projects provide financing for essential medical inputs, equipment and medicines to hospitals and health facilities, laboratories, and border points.
UNICEF will continue supporting the Government to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing essential supplies to those working at the frontlines, as well as supporting the overall socioeconomic response measures to ensure that every child can survive and thrive.
The 2014 Ebola crisis in West Africa highlighted the difficulty in rapidly mobilizing funding from the international community to contain a pandemic outbreak. To address this challenge, the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF) – housed at the World Bank – was launched in 2016 to provide an additional source of financing to the world’s poorest countries when they face cross-border, large-scale outbreaks. The PEF financing consists of funding provided by Australia, Germany, Japan, and the International Development Association. The PEF’s insurance coverage for its client countries was launched in 2017. The World Bank financed this coverage by issuing and selling catastrophe bonds to capital market investors and by executing insurance-linked swaps with insurance companies.
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