Visit of a delegation from the Robert Koch Institute of Microbiology, Germany to the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Epidemiology, Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Research Institute of Virology

On June 19-21, 2023, a meeting with instructors from the Institute of Microbiology, Germany with the staff of the Research Institute of Virology took place.

During the visit, Deputy Director for Science of RSSPMCEMIPD Research Institute of Virology A.S. Khikmatullaeva told about the activities of the Institute. The parties discussed current issues: on biosafety, improvement of epidemiologic surveillance, integration of scientific research in the field of public health.

Goals and objectives.

1. Biosafety/Biosecurity: reducing the risk of spread of infectious diseases;
2. Surveillance. Development of early case detection systems.
3. Organization of bilateral exercises and emergency response for sanitary and epidemiological surveillance.
4. Improving the human resource capacity of epidemiologic services.
5. Consolidation of acquired skills and knowledge on mobile laboratory.
6. Short course on PCR evaluation.
7. Validation of assays.

During the visit, the parties agreed on further coordination and cooperation, bringing together key stakeholders, including representatives of the Committee of Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health, experts from research centers and the Veterinary Service and coordination between responsible stakeholders and the ability to prevent and respond to biological threats.  A workshop on the P-53 project (Strengthening Biosafety Capacity in Uzbekistan and Central Asia) was also held and a lecture was given by the instructor Gerald Zikeli and Lara Unger on "PCR Evaluation and Assay Validation". The participants of the workshop strengthened their knowledge on PCR diagnostics. At the end of the training there was a ceremonial awarding of certificates.