BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 11. A new virology
laboratory of Kazakhstan’s National Center of Expertise under the
Ministry of Health has been inaugurated in Turkestan with support
from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP).


This was announced in a statement published by the press service
of the UNDP.


According to the information, the laboratory was established as
part of Kazakhstan’s Pandemic Fund project and is expected to
strengthen the country’s laboratory system and preparedness to
prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.


Until now, the Turkestan Region had no specialized virology
laboratory, and biological samples had to be sent to other regions
for testing. The new facility is expected to reduce diagnostic
turnaround times, improve access to laboratory services, and
strengthen epidemiological surveillance in one of Kazakhstan’s most
densely populated regions.


Kazakhstan was among the countries selected for financing in the
first round of the Pandemic Fund’s global project funding. The
grant supports the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance,
modernization of laboratory systems, biosafety and biosecurity,
early detection and outbreak response, infection prevention and
control, and health workforce development.







The opening ceremony was attended by First Vice Minister of
Health Timur Sultangaziyev, Pandemic Fund Senior Health Economist
and Portfolio Manager Amparo Elena Gordillo-Tobar, WHO
Representative in Kazakhstan Skender Syla, UNDP representatives,
and representatives of the National Center of Expertise and local
authorities.


“The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that strong laboratory
systems are the foundation of national and global health security.
The new laboratory in Turkistan will help ensure faster access to
quality diagnostics, strengthen epidemiological surveillance, and
improve the country’s readiness to respond to infectious disease
threats,” Syla said.


UNDP Kazakhstan Deputy Resident Representative Sukhrob
Khojimatov stated that the organization supported the project from
construction and procurement to equipping the facility and
implementing modern technological solutions.


According to UNDP, the laboratory was constructed and equipped
in line with international biosafety and sustainable development
requirements.