Five mobile laboratories were handed over as a gift to the Republic of Tajikistan in Dushanbe

On April 10, 2023, a ceremony was held at the "Istiqlol" Medical Complex in Dushanbe to hand over five mobile sanitary and epidemiological laboratories as part of the "Mobile COVID-19 Diagnostics" project. The event was attended by Mr. Abdukholiq Amirzoda, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan and Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The main goal of the project is to strengthen the capacity of healthcare institutions in the Republic of Tajikistan by providing them with the necessary medical and technical equipment. This will help improve the detection of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases among population groups most at risk of infection, both in urban and remote areas of the country.

As part of the project, sanitary and epidemiological laboratories with a biological safety level of BSL-3 were purchased and delivered, along with test systems for COVID-19 diagnostics. The mobile sanitary and epidemiological laboratories (MSELs) are designed for the diagnosis and rapid monitoring of infectious diseases and their pathogens, identifying the circulation of harmful microorganisms in the environment, and conducting sanitary and epidemiological studies. A distinguishing feature of the MSELs is the inclusion of an isolated medical intake compartment inside the van, allowing for direct collection of biological samples from patients. The BSL-3 biological safety level ensures safe handling of microorganisms belonging to pathogenicity groups I-IV.

The project is funded by the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD). The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan are participating in its implementation. The project implementation group functions are carried out by the Russian foundation "AIDS Infoshare."