Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A delegation of 19 Afghan doctors is visiting Uzbekistan these days, who arrived in our country on 5 January to participate in the program of a scientific and practical seminar on the topic "Prevention and treatment of coronavirus infection", Dunyo news agency reported.

During the trip, Afghan medics, who arrived from various provinces of the country, met with the leadership of the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan. For three days, they attended trainings organized in the building of the Tashkent Institute for Advanced Medical Studies in order to obtain theoretical knowledge on the treatment of COVID-19. Also, Afghan doctors visited the infectious diseases hospital in Zangiota district of Tashkent region to learn practical skills.

Said Farid Shah Rafik, doctor of the Kabul clinic "Wazir Akbar Khan":

- Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have begun to closely cooperate in this direction. I would especially like to note the humanitarian aid from Uzbekistan, which we badly needed. It consisted of medicines and personal protective equipment. This internship will allow us, Afghan doctors, to learn more about this disease and methods of dealing with this disease from our Uzbek colleagues.

The exchange of experience between virologists of the two countries and the subsequent organization of online conferences on this topic is also important. As for these courses, they were held at a very high level with the receipt of voluminous and meaningful information. We would also be grateful to Uzbekistan for sending doctors - specialists in this field to conduct courses directly on the territory of Afghanistan. It must be said that our trip also includes an excellent cultural program, where we will also have a chance to visit Samarkand.

Altat Tahiriy, doctor of the Ibn Sino clinic:

- This is my first time in Uzbekistan. A visit to the State Museum of the History of the Temurids made an indelible impression on me. An internship in the fight against coronavirus, organized by the government of Uzbekistan, gathered the best Afghan doctors from cities such as Kabul, Herat, and others. We are deeply grateful to the Uzbek side for this training, during which Uzbek colleagues share their rich experience in countering the pandemic.

Dr. Ashirkhan Saodati, Head of Diagnostics Department at the Ministry of Health of Afghanistan:

- Our trip was organized according to the agreement of the Presidents of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. This is the first visit of our doctors to Uzbekistan.

We came to get acquainted with the medical practice and study the experience of work carried out in the healthcare system of Uzbekistan, including in the treatment of COVID-19. We are very grateful for the warm welcome and excellent organization of the trip. Every day in the morning, Afghan doctors are trained and receive comprehensive information in the field of medicine. There is a lively discussion on the methodology used in Uzbekistan, since statistics show that the dynamics of the growth of COVID-19 diseases here is much less than in other countries. The teachers prepared for these lectures at a very high level. Upon our return, we will compare and once again consider what the pros and cons were in our methods, what mistakes and shortcomings were made by us in the treatment.

We also hope for long-term cooperation between the two states, including in the field of healthcare. Our peoples share common roots, traditions and customs. We would like our friendship to continue, not only in the field of medical education, but also in other areas.

Our group has very good impressions of Uzbekistan. We knew that the Uzbek people are very hospitable, highly cultured, friendly, but having arrived here, we were convinced of this again.