Representatives of the CSTO Member States’ defence agencies discussed the prevention and control of the COVID-19 coronavirus infection.

On April 16, the CSTO Crisis Response Centre held unscheduled consultations with the heads of military medical services of the CSTO Member States’ defence agencies regarding the prevention and control of the new COVID-19 coronavirus infection.
According to the press service of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the consultations were held under the general management of Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov, head of the CSTO Joint Staff. Leading military experts in the field of epidemiology, infectious diseases, anesthesiology and intensive care from the CSTO Member States’ defense agencies participated remotely. Representatives of the CSTO Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation also took part in the meeting.
The participants particularly focused on the organization of observation activities and the tactics of management of severely ill patients.
In conclusion, the CSTO Joint Staff head noted that the experts managed to discuss the issues of prevention and control of the new coronavirus infection and share with the participants the experience of the medical service of the Russian Ministry of Defence obtained during close cooperation with the civil healthcare service of the Russian Federation, as well as during the provision of assistance to Italy and Serbia by Russian servicemen.
It was noted that in addition to preserving the health of servicemen and their families, defence agencies are responsible for maintaining the combat readiness and combat efficiency of the armed forces.

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It was agreed to continue cooperation in this format to analyse the information regarding the spread of the coronavirus infection and to continue timely sharing experience of the experts of the CSTO Member States’ defence agencies.