Health

WHO award recognizes efforts of Turkmenistan’s health and care workers

Turkmenistan has received an award from WHO/Europe in recognition of the efforts of the country’s health and care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the State Health “Saglyk” Programme, Turkmenistan’s health-care system is being modernized with high-tech medical equipment, and the health and well-being of the population is being supported by mass sports infrastructure and promotion of the basic principles and skills needed for a healthy lifestyle. Prevention, detection and treatment of various infectious diseases in the country is steadily improving and international cooperation is growing stronger.

Turkmenistan participates in international health-care events and regularly exchanges experience with other countries. Organizations such as the United Nations and its specialized agencies, in particular WHO, are seen as reliable and long-term partners as the country works to implement projects to reform its health-care systems.

High-level officials and National Health System specialists attended the award ceremony at the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, alongside Narine Sahakyan, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative; and Dmitry Shlapachenko, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan; as well as representatives from the media. Participants expressed gratitude to Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe and WHO/Europe for the award.

COVID-19 and cooperation
It was noted that the fight against COVID-19 remains the focus of attention of the international community, and therefore it is more important than ever for all states to coordinate their actions with the support of WHO. The United Nations–Turkmenistan Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2021–2025 also aims to increase cooperation in a wide range of areas.

Comprehensive measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory infections in Turkmenistan. Collaborative research is also ongoing in several areas, including studying the origin of COVID-19 and the characteristics of new variants. This also paves the way for joint work in the search for effective ways to treat other especially dangerous infectious diseases, through regular online communication with medical scientists and specialists from the world’s leading medical and research centres.