National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

20.05.2020

First Meeting of Republican Interagency Work Group for Coping With COVID-19 Takes Place

The first meeting of the Republican interagency work group for coping with COVID-19 was held on May 20, 2020 via videoconferencing.

Vladimir Gusakov, the Chairman of Presidium of NAS of Belarus, making his speech during the meeting, emphasized that the work group meeting is one of the elements of collaboration of scientists and healthcare professionals. “We have performed a serious preliminary preparatory work; analyzed the situation in our country and in the world; actualized participation of scientists in prevention and treatment; obtained propositions of relevant organizations for quantity and completion of the group with experts, scientists and practisers working “on the frontline”. We have worked out the main areas representing the most efficient activities. The work group should become a communication site for working with scientifically grounded proposals proceeding from the actual situation and newest developments of the domestic and foreign experts,” Vladimir Gusakov said.

It is planned to involve leading foreign scientists in the interagency group activities. “The National Academy of Sciences cooperates with Chinese organizations specializing in various fields. We have conducted a series of negotiations with the PRC research laboratories on collaborative scientific and production activities. Currently, the Scientific Council for the coronavirus of the International Association of Academies of Sciences is being established. Some academies have already sent their propositions for development of comprehensive strategic solutions for work under unfavourable conditions. I spoke to the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences. We discussed a wide range of collaborative activities and agreed to combine our efforts,” Vladimir Gusakov said.

The Republican interagency work group for coping with COVID-19 was established by Resolution No. 223 of the Bureaus of Presidium of NASB as of May 18, 2020. It comprises more than 30 experts representing the academic and higher education science. They are leading scientists of the NAS of Belarus, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, practical healthcare professionals of the country’s healthcare system. The aim of the interagency group is to organize and coordinate activities of the scientists and medical staff of the entire country on practical implementation of set of measures to struggle with the coronavirus. The first meeting of the Republican interagency work group for coping with COVID-19 involved discussion of Provision on the Interagency group, main work areas, plan of scientific research on development of new technologies of COVID-19 prevention, diagnostics and treatment, and activities of struggle with the coronavirus carried out by the NASB.