BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 METHOD:PUBLISH PRODID:-//Telerik Inc.//Sitefinity CMS 15.2//EN BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Event highlightsInitiated by WHO with support from the Asia-Eur ope Foundation (ASEF)\, Ukraine has received modern diagnostic kits worth UAH 4.7 million (nearly US$ 111 500)\, which will strengthen the national disease surveillance system through an improved ability to detect high-ris k pathogens in a timely manner. The newly provided supplies will enable th e detection of polio\, diphtheria\, influenza\, COVID-19 and other high-ri sk pathogens across the country\, allowing prompt response to potential th reats.For over two decades\, Ukraine has implemented a comprehensive natio nal poliovirus prevention programme. Although the 2021 polio outbreak has been officially closed\, the continuation of testing for poliovirus remain s critical\, as the disease persists as a global threat. Maintaining syste matic epidemiological surveillance enables Ukraine to detect and prevent p otential cases or outbreaks in a timely manner. During the war\, the early detection of infectious diseases is especially critical.This proactive na tional programme not only protects Ukrainian children but also strengthens health security across the country\, including neighbouring countries hos ting refugees. A sustained investment in and modernization of laboratory c apacity are essential to enable rapid response\, prevent disease spread an d safeguard future generations.As part of the humanitarian support from WH O and ASEF\, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits and other diagnostic rea gents for the detection and differentiation of influenza\, SARS-COV-2\, ot her respiratory pathogens\, meningitis\, malaria and other tropical fevers \, as well as for hantavirus infections and diphtheria\, were procured and distributed to laboratories throughout Ukraine.The handover ceremony of s upplies to the Ukrainian Public Health Center (UPHC) was attended by Deput y Minister of Health of Ukraine and Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine \, Ihor Kuzin\; Director of the UPHC of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine\ , Volodymyr Kurpita\; H.E. Masashi Nakagome\, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine\; Mr Satoshi Sugimoto\, Senior Repres entative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ukraine Offi ce\; and ASEF Executive Director\, Ambassador Beata Stoczyńska. These are all partners who have consistently supported national efforts to strengthe n the public health system in close cooperation with the WHO Country Offic e in Ukraine\, represented by its Head\, Dr Jarno Habicht.&ldquo\;A strong laboratory network remains the foundation of an effective public health a nd response system. The development of this infrastructure and the reinfor cement of diagnostic capacities across the country continue uninterrupted. Through cooperation with international partners\, the Ministry is steadil y expanding the capacities of our laboratories &ndash\; from upgrading equ ipment to providing modern reagents and training specialists. This enables us to improve the quality of testing\, detect infectious threats more rap idly and make the public health system more responsive and resilient to po tential risks\,&rdquo\; stated Deputy Minister Ihor Kuzin.&ldquo\;Together with international partners\, we are ensuring that laboratories are equip ped with the resources required for timely detection and prevention of dis ease spread. Importantly\, laboratory specialists receive continuous train ings in accordance with international standards and best practices\,&rdquo \; noted Dr Jarno Habicht.H.E. Masashi Nakagome added\, &ldquo\;Japan has supported infectious disease control efforts in Ukraine and neighbouring c ountries since 2022. Through this new assistance\, Japan hopes to contribu te to Ukraine&rsquo\;s collective efforts to reduce the number of people a ffected by infectious diseases."&ldquo\;On this occasion\, the Asia-Europe Foundation reaffirms our commitment to support the resilience and recover y of Ukraine&rsquo\;s health system. With the generous support of the Mini stry of Foreign Affairs of Japan\, ASEF continues to stand firmly with the people of Ukraine\, mobilizing critical resources in close partnership wi th WHO to address urgent health needs and support the recovery of the nati onal health system\,&rdquo\; said Ambassador Beata Stoczyńska.&ldquo\;Infe ction control during wartime is critically important to reducing the overa ll burden on the health system. This is why we have aimed to strengthen te sting capacities and provide a comprehensive solution by fully supplying l aboratories with reagents across the country. We are grateful to our partn ers for this timely and essential support\,&rdquo\; said Volodymyr Kurpita .Background informationWorking in close partnership with WHO\, ASEF has co ntributed essential resources to address immediate health needs while supp orting longer-term system strengthening. Through joint interventions chann elled via the WHO Country Office in Ukraine\, nearly 4 million people acro ss the country have received access to essential health supplies and servi ces\, with more than 320 health institutions supported\, and medical equip ment valued at over US$ 7.6 million has been delivered nationwide. These e fforts have ensured comprehensive geographic coverage\, including for fron tline areas\, such as the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. As part of thi s continued support\, ASEF is now contributing to the enhancement of labor atory capacities in Kyiv Oblast Center for Disease Control and Prevention\ , Kyiv City Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the UPHC\, reinf orcing diagnostic capabilities for high-risk communicable diseases and imp roving outbreak preparedness.Overall\, the new reagents\, through WHO and ASEF support\, are being distributed to all regions of Ukraine\, while pol iovirus testing kits are specifically directed to regions designated by th e UPHC as having elevated risk levels. Most recently\, within this same in itiative\, 26 000 doses of rabies vaccine were distributed to health facil ities across Ukraine. DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251211 DTSTAMP:20260415T001353Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251210 LOCATION:Ukraine\,Kyiv SEQUENCE:0 SUMMARY:Laboratory reagents for detection of infectious diseases and epidem ic prevention delivered to Ukraine with WHO and ASEF support UID:RFCALITEM639118088330989671 X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Event highlights

Initiated by WHO w ith support from the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)\, Ukraine has received modern diagnostic kits worth UAH 4.7 million (nearly US$ 111 500)\, which will strengthen the national disease surveillance system through an improv ed ability to detect high-risk pathogens in a timely manner. The newly pro vided supplies will enable the detection of polio\, diphtheria\, influenza \, COVID-19 and other high-risk pathogens across the country\, allowing pr ompt response to potential threats.

For over two decades\, Ukraine h as implemented a comprehensive national poliovirus prevention programme. A lthough the 2021 polio outbreak has been officially closed\, the continuat ion of testing for poliovirus remains critical\, as the disease persists a s a global threat. Maintaining systematic epidemiological surveillance ena bles Ukraine to detect and prevent potential cases or outbreaks in a timel y manner. During the war\, the early detection of infectious diseases is e specially critical.

This proactive national programme not only prote cts Ukrainian children but also strengthens health security across the cou ntry\, including neighbouring countries hosting refugees. A sustained inve stment in and modernization of laboratory capacity are essential to enable rapid response\, prevent disease spread and safeguard future generations.

As part of the humanitarian support from WHO and ASEF\, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits and other diagnostic reagents for the detection and differentiation of influenza\, SARS-COV-2\, other respiratory pathogen s\, meningitis\, malaria and other tropical fevers\, as well as for hantav irus infections and diphtheria\, were procured and distributed to laborato ries throughout Ukraine.

The handover ceremony of supplies to the Uk rainian Public Health Center (UPHC) was attended by Deputy Minister of Hea lth of Ukraine and Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine\, Ihor Kuzin\; D irector of the UPHC of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine\, Volodymyr Kurpi ta\; H.E. Masashi Nakagome\, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine\; Mr Satoshi Sugimoto\, Senior Representative of the J apan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ukraine Office\; and ASEF Exe cutive Director\, Ambassador Beata Stoczyńska. These are all partners who have consistently supported national efforts to strengthen the public heal th system in close cooperation with the WHO Country Office in Ukraine\, re presented by its Head\, Dr Jarno Habicht.

&ldquo\;A strong laborator y network remains the foundation of an effective public health and respons e system. The development of this infrastructure and the reinforcement of diagnostic capacities across the country continue uninterrupted. Through c ooperation with international partners\, the Ministry is steadily expandin g the capacities of our laboratories &ndash\; from upgrading equipment to providing modern reagents and training specialists. This enables us to imp rove the quality of testing\, detect infectious threats more rapidly and m ake the public health system more responsive and resilient to potential ri sks\,&rdquo\; stated Deputy Minister Ihor Kuzin.

&ldquo\;Together wi th international partners\, we are ensuring that laboratories are equipped with the resources required for timely detection and prevention of diseas e spread. Importantly\, laboratory specialists receive continuous training s in accordance with international standards and best practices\,&rdquo\; noted Dr Jarno Habicht.

H.E. Masashi Nakagome added\, &ldquo\;Japan has supported infectious disease control efforts in Ukraine and neighbouri ng countries since 2022. Through this new assistance\, Japan hopes to cont ribute to Ukraine&rsquo\;s collective efforts to reduce the number of peop le affected by infectious diseases."

&ldquo\;On this occasion\, the Asia-Europe Foundation reaffirms our commitment to support the resilience and recovery of Ukraine&rsquo\;s health system. With the generous support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan\, ASEF continues to stand firm ly with the people of Ukraine\, mobilizing critical resources in close par tnership with WHO to address urgent health needs and support the recovery of the national health system\,&rdquo\; said Ambassador Beata Stoczyńska.< /p>

&ldquo\;Infection control during wartime is critically important to reducing the overall burden on the health system. This is why we have aime d to strengthen testing capacities and provide a comprehensive solution by fully supplying laboratories with reagents across the country. We are gra teful to our partners for this timely and essential support\,&rdquo\; said Volodymyr Kurpita.

Background information

Working in close partnership with WHO\, ASEF has contributed essential resources to address immediate health needs while supporting longer-term system strengthening. Through joint interventions channelled via the WHO Country Office in Ukra ine\, nearly 4 million people across the country have received access to e ssential health supplies and services\, with more than 320 health institut ions supported\, and medical equipment valued at over US$ 7.6 million has been delivered nationwide. These efforts have ensured comprehensive geogra phic coverage\, including for frontline areas\, such as the Zaporizhzhia a nd Kherson regions. As part of this continued support\, ASEF is now contri buting to the enhancement of laboratory capacities in Kyiv Oblast Center f or Disease Control and Prevention\, Kyiv City Center for Disease Control a nd Prevention and the UPHC\, reinforcing diagnostic capabilities for high- risk communicable diseases and improving outbreak preparedness.

Over all\, the new reagents\, through WHO and ASEF support\, are being distribu ted to all regions of Ukraine\, while poliovirus testing kits are specific ally directed to regions designated by the UPHC as having elevated risk le vels. Most recently\, within this same initiative\, 26 000 doses of rabies vaccine were distributed to health facilities across Ukraine.

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