Nicosia, 17th July 2023 - In a project funded by the European Union (EU) as part of the EU funded Local Infrastructure Facility Project (LIF), the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are pleased to announce that state-of-the-art laboratory equipment for COVID-19 diagnostics and surveillance in the Turkish Cypriot community has been successfully procured. This significant investment of EUR 300,000 will bolster the current capacity and quality of diagnostic services and enhance preparedness. 

Among the essential equipment procured is a next generation sequencing instrument, which was previously unavailable in the Turkish Cypriot community. This ground-breaking addition will greatly enhance the detection and confirmation of any mutation of the COVID-19 virus, ensuring accurate and timely responses to emerging variants. 

Mr. Kjartan Björnsson, Deputy Director & Head of Unit for Cyprus Settlement Support at the Directorate-General Reform of the European Commission, highlighted that this comprehensive suite of equipment will bolster the diagnostic capabilities of healthcare professionals while enabling them to provide accurate and timely assessments. ‘’The funding is important for further enhancing the diagnostics capabilities of healthcare professionals in the Turkish Cypriot community, making sure that the island gets ready in every aspect towards the ultimate goal of reunification’’ stated Mr. Björnsson. 

Head of Office for UNDP Cyprus, Jakhongir Khaydarov, stated that, "We are proud to contribute to the improvement of COVID-19 diagnostics and COVID-19 surveillance capabilities in the Turkish Cypriot community. The acquisition of advanced laboratory equipment, including the Next Generation Sequencing instrument, signifies a significant step in our collective efforts to combat the virus and protect public health." 

This critical funding has enabled the acquisition of state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, including a QIAstat-Dx analyzer, as well as 60 QIAstat-Dx Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panels, 17 QIAstat-Dx Meningitis/Encephalitis Panels, 9 QIAstat-Dx Viral Vesicular Panels, 1 Bugbox anaerobic workstation, 1 Eppendorf Research® plus pipettes, 1 Pipette carousel, 1 A9 Plus Air
purifier, Milli-Q Direct 16 plus 60 LITER PE RESERVOIR, 1 MiSeq System, 30 MiSeq Reagent Kit v3 (600-cycle), 1 COVIDSeq Positive Control, and 15 Illumina COVIDSeq v4 Primer Pools.

Furthermore upcoming EU funding of EUR 1.6 million will be allocated towards refurbishing the microbiology laboratory and the paediatric intensive care unit. This will ensure that these vital healthcare facilities meet the highest standards and are equipped to provide optimal care for patients.

For further information and media enquiries please contact UNDP at: 

Gulten Inan, Communications Assistant 
E-mail: gulten.inan@undp.org 
Tel: +357 99 061560/+905488684603 

Eleni Panayiotou, Communications Associate 
E-mail: eleni.panayiotou@undp.org 
Tel: +35799368879/+905488684602

European Union
The Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, based on Council Regulation 389/2006, aims at facilitating the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island, on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU, and on preparation for the EU body of laws (also referred to as acquis communautaire).

For more information please visit: Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community (europa.eu)
EU Infopoint on Facebook - http://www.abbilgi.eu/en - http://www.abbilgi.eu/tr/

United Nations Development Programme
UNDP aims to contribute and support the peace-building process in Cyprus and to enhance cooperation between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriot by implementing a range of confidence building measures.

Get in touch: UNDP Cyprus (@UNDPCY) / Twitter | on Facebook | on Instagram| 
More resources: https://www.undp.org/cyprus