On 1 April 2020, an expert meeting to prepare the SCO Healthcare Ministers' conference was held via videoconference.
Those taking part discussed matters concerning the biological safety of the SCO countries' population considering the increasing speed of the new coronavirus pneumonia's spread throughout the world and reviewed the epidemiologic situation in the member states. They also addressed the promotion of cooperation within the organisation to strengthen the control over the developments around COVID-19 and search for an effective treatment for patients who have already been diagnosed with the virus.
The experts exchanged their experience and spoke about the measures being taken by their healthcare agencies in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. They were unanimous that joint efforts and strict compliance with the SCO documents will encourage the fight against COVID-19.
It was noted that SCO executive bodies at all levels (local, regional and federal) step up their work according to the national norms and rules concerning emergency measures being taken.
The participants at the meeting also agreed upon the fact that it was necessary to develop methodological recommendations on the safety of the medical personnel at the national level in the SCO member states.
SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sherali Saidamir Jonon described the Secretariat's work to coordinate the comprehensive prevention of the epidemic.
The meeting was also attended by permanent representatives of Russia and Tajikistan to the SCO Secretariat as well as staff of the Kazakh and Kyrgyz diplomatic missions in China.