Swiss TPH Supports COVID-19 Efforts through Swiss Government Funding

Information materials, hygienic-protective items, and essential food packages are handed over to the representatives of Emergency Municipal Headquarters in Kosovo to support the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: AQH Project, Swiss TPH) - The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is supporting the re-allocation of funds within existing projects that are implemented by Swiss TPH in Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe to assist in the public health response to the COVID-19 crisis. Activities range from the creation of a national call centre, procurement, distribution and training on the use of personal protective equipment, to setting up a diagnostics laboratory, training of PHC workers on remote consultations and communications work to dispel fake news. Local Public Authorities and the sector are engaged to ensure assistance for the most vulnerable, and numerous interventions were adapted to the requirements of physical distancing. The COVID-19 pandemic affects people's health and well-being on a global scale and is laying bare deep inequalities in terms of gender, vulnerability and disability, especially in lowand middle-income countries that often lack well-functioning protection schemes and face many health systems challenges. Albeit, we are seeing a high level of leadership in several countries, the leveraging of experiences gained in other infectious disease outbreaks, major commitment from health and workers, and unprecedented inter-agency collaboration.