Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As part of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, the President of Uzbekistan announced a number of important initiatives in various areas of cooperation between the countries of the region.

Pandemic issues, among others, are of particular importance today. Its negative effect on the health of the population and the economies of the countries of the region is still observed.

In this regard, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward measures to respond to the consequences of the pandemic, such as:

1) preparation of the Program of measures for interaction in the field of healthcare, pharmaceuticals and sanitary protection of territories,

2) introduction of a unified information system for the mutual recognition of test results and vaccination certificates,

3) expanding the exchange of experience in the field of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, training of medical workers,

4) coordination of the development and production of vaccines and drugs in the region.

As studies by US scientists show, the fight against coronavirus will last at least another 10 years. The virus will mutate. According to some estimates, about 8 strains are expected to emerge.

The current situation is urgent in Central Asia. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are hitting anti-records for the number of infected. On 6 August, 8,171 people were registered in Kazakhstan, and 923 in Uzbekistan.

Despite the fact that some Central Asian countries have started producing their own vaccines, there is a shortage of vaccines against coronavirus infection in the region.

Moreover, there is currently no unified system in the region for the mutual recognition of the results of studies on Covid-19 and the vaccination certificates of the countries of the region, which hinders economic development.

In this regard, the Program of measures for interaction in the field of healthcare, pharmaceuticals and sanitary protection of territories will bring the countries of the region to a new level of cooperation in the field of healthcare.

In turn, the introduction of a unified information system for the mutual recognition of test results and vaccination certificates will provide a unified approach for citizens of Central Asian countries when crossing borders and provide citizens with more opportunities for free movement, will make it possible to trace the authenticity of the issued test results and certificates in real time. , will provide a control system at the interstate level.

Expanding the exchange of experience in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, training of medical workers will help build capacity in the health sector in the region and consolidate the efforts of countries in the fight against infectious diseases.

Coordination of the development and production of vaccines and medicines in the region will reduce the risk of the spread of coronavirus in Central Asia, which in turn will lead to the image of a “safe” region.

In general, the consolidation of the countries of the region in the field of healthcare will give impetus to the revitalization of the economy of Central Asia, and will also contribute to the further strengthening of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries.

Tsai Elena, Chief Research Fellow, International Institute of Central Asia