The first cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Uzbekistan in March 2020. The pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges for the country's health system, across multiple areas including, laboratory capacity and diagnostics, infection prevention and control, and training its healthcare workforce on the use of mechanical ventilators and COVID-19 case management.
Approach
USAID brought LHSS into early discussions with the Government of Uzbekistan, international donors, and key stakeholders to plan a coordinated response. LHSS areas of support included -
- Laboratory diagnostic and personnel capacity
- Infection prevention and control (including biosafety)
- Rapid detection, reporting/surveillance, and response
- Facility-level assessments to determine facility capacity to use ventilators
Interventions were important as part of the country’s emergency response to COVID-19 but also contributed to strengthening Uzbekistan’s local health systems and resilience to future shocks.
Key Achievements
- Nearly 300 healthcare providers were trained on WHO guidelines on intensive care case management related to COVID-19
- Nearly 200 anesthesiologists across six regions where the ventilators were distributed were trained on the appropriate use of ZOLL® ventilators and oxygen therapy
- 45 clinicians were trained on the use of mechanical ventilation through the distance learning platform.
- 15 supply chain management specialists from national and regional government procurement divisions were trained on ways to strengthen the current system
- Provided over $2.23 million USD in procurement support for a diverse range of laboratory support materials
LHSS support for the COVID-19 Emergency Response in Uzbekistan was completed in November 2021. A virtual dissemination conference was held on December 17, 2021.
