The United Kingdom (UK) supports emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis on both banks of the Nistru River, by a £160,000 contribution, offered through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The World Health Organization and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights are partners of this initiative.

100 pulse oximeters, measuring oxygen distribution in critical patients, are being provided to intensive care units of medical institutions that treat patients for COVID-19. Also, health institutions throughout Moldova will receive disposal gowns and coveralls, sanitizers and disinfectants and non-contact infrared thermometers.

On 1 October, a handover ceremony took place in Comrat, district hospital “Isaac Gurfinkel” being one of the beneficiaries of the support.

“From the first days of the coronavirus pandemic, medical workers of Gagauzia have been fighting for the lives of people. Regional authorities have taken all necessary measures to launch and support COVID-19 treatment centers. During this difficult period, our friends and partners are with us. Today we are receiving essential personal protective equipment, offered generously by the UK Government. We are very grateful for this support,” said Irina Vlah, Governor of Gagauz-Yeri region.

“A COVID-19 Center planned for the treatment of 73 people was opened in our hospital. Here work in shifts 6 doctors, 28 nurses and 23 infirmary nurses, who examine the patients several times a day. This means that personal protective equipment and disinfectants are consumed quickly. That is why today's donation is very welcome and will be of real use to us to refill stocks and protect medical staff. We are grateful and thank the development partners, who found the opportunity to help us in this difficult time, when all countries of the world are going through a crisis caused by the pandemic,” noted Nina Răilean, director of the hospital.

Steven Mark Fisher, UK Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, highlighted: “The COVID-19 pandemic is having a terrible impact on the lives and livelihoods of people all over the world.  Against this appalling background, international solidarity and cooperation are vital. Some of the world’s leading scientists are working together on vaccine development projects – most of them involving international consortia. The UK is at the heart of efforts to build a global vaccine distribution system – Covax – which will ensure that vaccines are available to all those who need them, with special facilities to make them affordable to governments in Lower and Middle Income Countries, subsidised by wealthier countries.”

“Further evidence of international solidarity can be seen in the donations of personal protective equipment which wealthy countries are making around the world, funded by their tax-payers. It is to make a further such donation that we have come here today to Comrat, where I know just how appreciated this donation will be. I wish to express the British Embassy’s admiration and respect to all the health sector workers in the Republic of Moldova, including in the Transnistrian region and here in Gagauzia where I know that this donation will be put to very good use, in saving innocent lives,’’ noted the UK Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova.

“It is essential to leave no-one behind as this pandemic is deepening even more the already existing inequalities. With the generous support of the UK Government and efforts of three UN agencies - UNDP, WHO and OHCHR - we are making sure that the needed products and equipment are reaching the health professionals that work tirelessly to fight the novel coronavirus. This is part of the UN Moldova response to COVID-19 in the country,” said Dima Al-Khatib, UNDP Resident Representative for the Republic of Moldova.

“Health-care workers are at the frontline of our response to COVID-19, placing them at higher risk of exposure to the virus. The delivery of essential medical supplies and protective equipment will go far in reducing the risk health-care workers face in their daily work and help protect them, patients and vulnerable people from coronavirus,” noted Dr. Igor Pokanevych, WHO Representative and Head of the WHO Country Office in the Republic of Moldova.

Also, with support from UK, packages containing non-perishable food, hygienic products and personal protection equipment shall be offered to vulnerable women, men and children from the Transnistrian region.

The UN Development System in Moldova and development partners have been actively supporting the national response to the pandemic through the coordinated activities aiming to protect people, increase capacities of a healthcare system to respond to public health emergency and reduce the economic and social shocks.