How ready is Uzbekistan for coronavirus outbreak?

 A natural question arises. Is Uzbekistan ready to meet coronavirus?

 On January 29, the president signed a decree “On the formation of a special republican commission to prepare a program of measures to prevent the penetration and spread of a new type of coronavirus in the Republic of Uzbekistan”.

 According to the document, a special commission, led by the Prime Minister, was created in Uzbekistan.

 The commission’s tasks include continuous analysis and monitoring of the global, regional and countrywide epidemiological situation, forecasting the trends and possible worsening of the situation, as well as the formation of a reserve, timely provision of specialized healthcare institutions and the population with diagnostic tools, antiviral medicines and personal protective equipment in required volumes.

 In case of worsening of the epidemic situation, the commission should prepare and submit to the President a proposal on taking urgent measures aimed at preventing the penetration and spread of the virus in Uzbekistan.

 The Ministry of Health was instructed to ensure the creation of the necessary reserve of diagnostic tools for coronavirus at the Agency for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and regional centers.

 On March 11, Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on improving the effectiveness of public health in the country.

 During the event, the Ministry of Health and the Agency for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing were given additional instructions regarding the quarantine and preventive measures need to be taken.

 It also became known that in the regions, districts and cities, separate centers of the agency would be created.

 To effectively organize this work, up to three specialists are allocated in rural polyclinics.

 In mid-February, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said that Uzbekistan cannot cope with such a threat as coronavirus.

 “We are concerned that there are places with inadequate infrastructure (for protection against the virus). Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are countries with close borders with China, which also do not have the ability to cope with any large-scale threat, like a coronavirus,” said Pompeo to reporters on board of an airplane heading to Munich for a security conference back in February.

 Later, Alisher Shodmanov acknowledged Michael Pompeo’s words about the unpreparedness of Uzbekistan’s healthcare to withstand a massive outbreak of coronavirus.

 Recently, Shadmanov denied rumors that Uzbekistan is hiding information about the coronavirus.

 At the same time, he emphasized that Uzbekistan has enough funds and forces to prevent the spread of the virus.

 “If we record an outbreak somewhere, then we have enough funds. Preventive measures will be taken. We must increase awareness of residents and provide reliable information,” he said.

 At the same time, it is not yet known exactly where the Uzbek people will be placed if a coronavirus is found in them. Are special facilities ready to receive patients? What specific measures will be taken in cases of the spread of coronavirus in the context of villages/districts/cities and regions? So far, these questions remain open.

 Back in June 2019, deputies of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis reported that the number of patients does not correspond to the number of places in district and city medical departments.

 The Government of Uzbekistan has invited international expert Mikhail Favorov to Uzbekistan. As the press service of the Ministry of Health noted, he helps in preventing the penetration and spread of coronavirus.

 In general, many residents of Uzbekistan do not panic. Unfortunately, some people, without specific facts, disseminate various inaccurate information through social networks.

 Nevertheless, the Uzbek people have many questions. In particular, why there is no coronavirus in Uzbekistan, does the government hide facts, etc.

 At the same time, the Ministry of Health has repeatedly stated that there are no cases of coronavirus in the country.