To strengthen the public health emergency response and preparedness in Uzbekistan through upgrading national laboratories, developing surveillance systems, and building case management capacity to address the on-going COVID-19 pandemic as well as to enhance the country’s resilience and preparedness to cope with future public health disasters. - The project cost is estimated at USD 257 million. AIIB loan is up to USD100 million, ADB loan is up to USD100 million, and the rest is to be funded by the Government of Uzbekistan.

The project scope will consist of the following three interlinked components: Component 1. Strengthening national laboratory system: 1.1. Enhancing COVID-19 and related testing capacity of the designated laboratories under the Agency of Epidemiological Wellbeing (ASEW) through laboratory renovation and provision of laboratory equipment, including personal protection equipment and testing kits. 1.2. Developing laboratory networking system for diagnostics, quality assurance, monitoring, and reporting. 1.3. Providing necessary training for laboratory workers to use technology and develop skills for testing and contact tracing. Component 2. Establishing national surveillance and response capacity: 2.1. Developing a national surveillance and monitoring system to strengthen screening, testing and contact tracing. 2.2. Strengthening border and rapid response by procuring surveillance and sanitation vehicles, equipment and supplies for the surveillance and response system. 2.3. Developing information and artificial intelligence applications for public use. 2.4. Providing necessary training for primary and institutional health care workers to use surveillance and monitoring system and personal applications. Component 3. Building Case Management Capacity: 3.1. Enhancing the capacity of the designated health centers to handle COVID-19 patients through renovation of these facilities and provision of medical equipment, supplies and ambulances. 3.2. Enhancing the technical capacity of health workers to effectively manage COVID-19 patients by providing clinical and service guidelines and related training.