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WB realizes "Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project" in Turkmenistan

Business Materials 7 July 2010 12:43 (UTC +04:00)

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, July 7 / Trend H.Hasanov /

A World Bank (WB) supervision mission has completed its visit to Turkmenistan in the framework of the Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project, WB reported.

The Project, which is funded through the Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) facility amounts to $1.97 million, of which $1.07 million is funded through the European Commission Single Donor Trust Fund and $0.9 million through a Multi-Donor Trust Fund Grant. The grant is administered by the World Bank.

The project comes with the aim to strengthen the country's capacity to prevent the spread of avian influenza among poultry, prevent the transmission of avian influenza from birds to humans, and prepare for a pandemic, should it occur.

Turkmenistan has, so far, not had any recorded outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Nevertheless, the risk to Turkmenistan of an HPAI outbreak remains significant as a result of migratory waterfowl patterns.

"We are pleased to have this collaboration with the Government of Turkmenistan, and throughout project implementation noted a high level of dedication by all stakeholders in achieving Project development objectives," says Tamer Rabie, Senior Health Specialist and Project Team Leader based in Washington, DC . "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Government of Turkmenistan on this project and others in the health sector."

The mission was especially pleased with the following achievements, accomplished over the past 6-months: Refurbishment of the Central Veterinary laboratory in Akhal velayat: Under the Project, the Central Veterinary laboratory has been fully refurbished to meet applicable biosafety and biosecurity standards for the highly pathogenic avian influenza. Further it will be equipped with state of the art laboratory equipment. In addition, the project has provided funding to refurbish the Sanitary and Epidemiology Service (SES) laboratory which is expected to be completed by end July. Also, project funded small repair works in the velayat veterinary laboratories.

Trainings under the Animal health component: FAO was engaged with the Veterinary authorities to provide master trainings on epidemiology and poultry diseases. Subsequently, cascade trainings took place in each of the velayats.

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