Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- These days the 78th session of the UN General Assembly is being held in New York (USA). A group of officials from the healthcare system of Uzbekistan, led by Minister Amrillo Inoyatov, also takes part in the high-level events that take place within the framework of the session.

In particular, on 20 September, the minister spoke at a high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

It was noted that since the outbreak of the pandemic, relevant decrees and resolutions of the President have been adopted in our country, as well as a number of regulatory legal acts of the Government to prevent the spread of this disease and combat it. A Special Republican Commission was formed. In a word, the state showed strong will in a difficult epidemiological situation.

Not far from the capital, as well as in the regions, quarantine centers, special infectious diseases hospitals and distribution points for patients infected with coronavirus were built.

During this period, the population of Uzbekistan was provided with food and medicines. A free COVID-19 diagnostic system was introduced.

The country has launched production of the Uzbek-Chinese vaccine ZF-UZ-VAC 2001. Other vaccines recommended by WHO are also widely used.

However, necessary measures are being taken to prepare for future potential pandemics. A number of joint projects in this direction are being implemented with international organizations and neighboring countries.

At the end of his speech, the minister put forward a number of proposals to prevent and prepare for pandemics.

“We need to learn to completely control the coronavirus infection,” he said. “At the same time, it is important to conduct research to improve anti-epidemic measures, coordinate early detection, treatment and prevention of coronavirus patients, study the importance of secondary immunity in preventing re-infection, strengthen or weaken quarantine measures based on early prediction of the spread of the pandemic.

It is also necessary to ensure long-term protection against mutated strains, determine the timing of vaccination of sick and recovered patients, the risks associated with vaccination, and create a new generation of vaccines.

In addition, issues related to the development of special prevention strategies during potential pandemics that may be caused by insufficiently studied or unknown infections should be studied. Uzbek scientists are ready for close cooperation in this direction.

The agenda should also include such issues as the creation of a bank of viruses and cells, the study of natural reservoirs of potentially dangerous viruses, and the development of nanomedicine in virology.”

At the meeting, Uzbekistan’s experience in the fight against coronavirus was highly appreciated.