The European Union and World Health organization deliver medical supplies, tests, and technical devices to the COVID-19 frontline in Azerbaijan

4000PZR test reagents were also provided to the Ministry that will help to timely identify COVID-19 cases. Moreover, 100 tablets, 5 laptops, 5 modems, and software for them were delivered to help with the surveillance of COVID-19 cases.  

The donation of these medical supplies is part of the Solidarity for Health Initiative project funded by the European Union and implemented by the WHO Country Office in Azerbaijan. On 27 March 2020, the EU announced a large assistance package to help prevent, detect and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in 6 countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, including Azerbaijan. Previously, 4 medical shipments were delivered to Azerbaijan in July, September, and December 2020 as part of the Solidarity for Health Initiative containing large numbers of medical equipment to help patients, as well as personal protective equipment to protect healthcare workers on COVID-19 frontline. Moreover, EU and WHO has also launched a new 3-year COVID-19 Vaccination Support Project in Azerbaijan aimed at supporting mass vaccination to overcome the pandemic and strengthening the country’s routine immunization system. 

“The European Union Solidarity for Health Initiative in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries is part of a common European response to the outbreak of COVID-19. Based on the solidarity principle the Initiative supports the healthcare systems of partner countries in their fight against the virus and helps them to address better the needs of the most vulnerable people. Since the start of the pandemic, the EU and its Team Europe package that combines resources from the EU, its Member States, and international financial institutions have provided wide-ranging assistance to all six Eastern Partnership countries, including Azerbaijan to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, thus contributing to their longer-term social and economic resilience”, said Ambassador Peter Michalko, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Azerbaijan. 

 “The COVID-19 pandemic has become a major challenge for the whole world. We have been living in this situation for almost two years now. No country's health care system could withstand this challenge alone. Therefore, international cooperation is very important in the fight against the pandemic, " noted Dr Viktor Gasimov, Deputy Minister of Health of Azerbaijan, and thanked the European Union and the World Health Organization for the support provided.

"For more than a year and a half, thanks to the continued support of the European Union and in cooperation with national health counterparts, we have been working hard within the project to contribute to Azerbaijan’s pandemic response. During this time, we supported both immediate and more structural healthcare needs of the country, through the delivery of medical supplies, providing trainings, technical knowledge sharing, and awareness campaigns”, Dr Hande Harmanci, WHO Representative and Head of Country Office in Azerbaijan said. Taking the opportunity, she also welcomed the newly appointed EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan and wished him success in his tenure in the country.