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Subject
Health emergency responses in Central Asia.
Significance
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan first reported COVID-19 cases in mid-March. Tajikistan's government was initially in denial but acknowledged cases at the end of April. Turkmenistan still maintains that it has no cases. Although official figures are probably understated, the five Central Asian republics thus far appear to have avoided outbreaks on the scale seen in Europe, the United States and their near neighbour China.
Impacts
Turkmenistan's inaction fits with a long history of neglecting healthcare and welfare.
Tajikistan's delayed response reflects (probably unfounded) worries about political stability.
Governments may heighten digital surveillance technology use well after COVID-19 recedes.
Keywords:
Central Asia,
RUCIS,
Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan,
CIS,
politics,
social,
emergency,
government,
health,
infrastructure,
policy
© Oxford Analytica 2020. All rights reserved. This content contains general information about geopolitical, macroeconomic and social developments or (where stated) other matters. It does not contain advice or recommendations that may be relied on. Where links to external websites are provided, this does not indicate that Oxford Analytica or Emerald agree with, endorse or have checked for accuracy the contents of said sites.
2020
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