The International Organization for Migration (IOM) supported the professional development of 16 primary healthcare doctors from the villages of Parakhatgylyk, Gokhan, Gurbangurdy and Ak Altyn in Ahal velayat at a one-day seminar held at the medical facility in the village of Parakhatgylyk. The seminar was facilitated by national experts — doctors working as part of the IOM Mobile Resource Centre team in Turkmenistan.
Drawing on the practical experience of specialists from the IOM Mobile Resource Centre, participants reviewed modern approaches to primary healthcare in the fields of gynaecology, general medicine, paediatrics and digestive health. The discussions also focused on early disease detection, prevention of complications and strengthening of counselling and preventive services in rural settings.
Particular attention was paid to children’s digestive health, including the impact of nutrition and gut organisms on overall wellbeing, as well as common health issues related to infections and inappropriate use of medications. A separate session was dedicated to common digestive system conditions, with a focus on contemporary approaches to diagnosis, treatment and prevention at the primary healthcare level.
In addition, participants discussed the early identification of high blood pressure and diabetes among women, particularly those in higher-risk groups, which is especially relevant in rural areas. A separate module focused on the physician-led pregnancy care with underlying health conditions, including complications related to metabolic disorders, cardiovascular health and other chronic illnesses.
The practical component of the seminar aimed to strengthen hands-on skills of medical professionals and enhance their readiness to make informed clinical decisions within primary healthcare practice.
“Exchanging experience with colleagues and discussing real clinical cases was particularly valuable. The approaches and recommendations presented will help me apply modern diagnostic and treatment methods more effectively in my daily work,” said Murad Rahmatov, a doctor at the Gokhan Village Health House in Ahal velayat.
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The seminar was conducted within the framework of the IOM regional project “Comprehensive Action Plan for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries” In Turkmenistan, the project focuses on providing comprehensive support to Afghan communities residing in the country, with a particular emphasis on women and girls, to ensure long-term sustainable development and strengthen social cohesion at the local level.
As part of the project, a Mobile Resource Centre is successfully operating and has to date provided medical and legal consultations to more than 6,000 beneficiaries from the Afghan and local communities. With project support, a medical facility in the village of Parahatgylyk, Ahal province, was upgraded to ensure the provision of long-term, quality medical services to Afghan and local populations. In addition, the project supported vocational tailoring training for 170 women from the Afghan community in Ahal and Lebap provinces in 2024-2025. ////nCa, 14 April 2026 (in cooperation with IOM Turkmenistan)