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Turkmenistan Receives $20 Million Boost for COVID-19 Response Efforts

July 9, 2021 - Ashgabat

The World Bank has approved a significant funding of $20 million to support Turkmenistan’s response efforts against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) financing will bolster the country’s preparedness and response capabilities to mitigate the health and social risks posed by the pandemic.

Unprecedented Threat to Development Gains

According to World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan and Turkmenistan Jan-Peter Olters, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented threat to development gains worldwide, including in Turkmenistan. He emphasized that urgent and decisive actions are required to address the crisis.

Project Objectives

The proposed project will focus on:

  • Strengthening country-level coordination, risk communication, and community outreach
  • Reinforcing testing, response capacities, infection prevention, and control measures in healthcare facilities
  • Improving access to healthcare services and providing COVID-19-related care to all citizens, including vulnerable population groups

Expected Benefits

The investments are expected to yield benefits beyond pandemic response, including:

  • Improvement of information systems to monitor infectious diseases
  • Establishment of a solid capacity for infection control in health facilities
  • Introduction of innovations in healthcare provision
  • Procurement of medical equipment, diagnostic tools, and critical supplies
  • Training for medical staff

Key Partners

The Turkmenistan Ministry of Health and Medical Industry and its Division for Sanitary and Epidemiological Safety and Control will play a key role in coordinating and implementing project activities. The Government of Turkmenistan has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which will act as Project Implementing Entity.

Broader World Bank Group COVID-19 Response

This funding builds on the broader World Bank Group COVID-19 response, which is supporting more than 100 countries worldwide to strengthen health systems, support vulnerable households, and maintain livelihoods and jobs for those affected.