Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Programme launches in Kyrgyzstan
An initiative to safeguard the health of Kyrgyzstan’s citizens amid growing global health challenges is underway in the country. The Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Programme involves the Government of Kyrgyzstan, WHO, the United States Agency for International Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and other organizations, and targets key areas of health identified by Kyrgyzstan. These include tracking and reducing antimicrobial resistance, monitoring zoonotic diseases, strengthening national laboratory systems and disease surveillance, building capacity within the health-care workforce, developing risk communication and community engagement strategies, and bolstering health emergency management.
The programme is designed to address pressing health issues and represents a significant investment in boosting the country’s resilience to public health emergencies. At its core, it adopts the globally recognized “One Health” approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. This holistic strategy entails close collaboration between various governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Regional Development; and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision.
United States Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Lesslie Viguerie, highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation, saying “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”.
Addressing key health challenges
Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to the global health security agenda has been underscored by it becoming the first country among the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region to conduct the second round of the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) – a voluntary, collaborative process to assess country capacities to prevent, detect and rapidly respond to public health risks. Amanda Shriwise, WHO Adviser on Health Policy, lauded Kyrgyzstan’s efforts in this regard, highlighting the development of a comprehensive 7-year National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) as a testament to the country’s dedication to enhancing its public health infrastructure.
As the world grapples with ongoing health challenges, the launch of the Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Programme in Kyrgyzstan signifies a crucial step towards building a more resilient and prepared health-care system, capable of effectively addressing emerging threats and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.
