April 16, 2025, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – In a significant step toward advancing tuberculosis (TB) control in Turkmenistan, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office organized a meeting with the National Working Group on TB and WHO/Europe expert to review the first draft of the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control (2026-2030). The meeting was held […]
Achieving a TB-free Central Asia: from vision to reality
WHO/Europe, in partnership with its 5 Central Asian Member States and a range of stakeholders, today launched the TB-Free Central Asia Initiative (CAI) — to accelerate the elimination of tuberculosis (TB), including drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), across the subregion by 2030. Health ministers and high-level officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Astana […]
WHO boosts virological surveillance and pandemic influenza preparedness in Turkmenistan
Ashgabat, March 25- April 04, 2025 – In an effort to strengthen virological surveillance of influenza and acute respiratory infections in Turkmenistan, the World Health Organization Country Office (WHO CO) facilitated a technical advisory mission from WHO/Europe to Turkmenistan. As part of the mission, a specialized 10-day training course on “Characteristics of isolation and antigenic […]
WHO Advisory Mission Strengthens Turkmenistan’s Pandemic Preparedness
Global public health is consistently jeopardized by unpredictable and destructive power of respiratory virus pandemics, which can cause immense harm to health, society, and economies. To improve the national capacity for planning, preparedness, and response to potential respiratory pathogen pandemics in Turkmenistan, the World Health Organization Country Office (WHO CO) organized a technical advisory mission. […]
WHO and Turkmenistan Initiate Development of a new National Strategic Plan for TB Control 2026-2030
Ashgabat, February 25, 2025 – Amid the increasing global burden of tuberculosis (TB), which continues to pose a threat to a public health, Turkmenistan is taking decisive steps to solidify its progress in combating this disease. A technical advisory mission from the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe was welcomed in Turkmenistan on […]
IAEA, WHO and Turkmenistan Partner to Enhance Nuclear Medicine and Cancer Care
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Turkmenistan are working together to improve the safe and effective use of nuclear medicine in health care. As part of this effort, a pre-imPACT mission is being conducted in Turkmenistan as a critical step in assessing and strengthening the country’s cancer control capacity. […]
Progress in developing Turkmenistan’s health laboratory services discussed
On 31 January 2025, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan (MoHMIT) with the support from the WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan organized a meeting to discuss the implementation progress of the national policy and operational planning for the development of health sector laboratory services. The meeting focused on reviewing the implementation of […]
The National Coordination Meeting on the project “Central Asia Pandemic Preparedness and Response through the One Health approach” was held in Ashgabat
In order to promote health, economic stability, social development, and environmental sustainability, the Central Asian countries are cooperating to enhance their capacity to prepare for and respond to pandemics and epidemics. The Central Asian countries are working together to implement the One Health approach in the field of pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) with […]
Trump’s vision of Peace and Leadership – the reverse side of the coin
Tariq Saeedi If Trump’s concept of peace, elegantly elucidated in his inaugural speech, is the obverse side of the coin, his idea of leadership, as apparent from the nature of the Executive Orders signed on the first day of his presidency is the reverse side of the coin. This coin is clearly bi-metallic – its […]
Turkmenistan strengthens TB control: National Laboratory awarded international certificates
Turkmenistan’s National Reference Laboratory has officially been certified for all molecular and phenotypic methods used in the control of tuberculosis (TB), the WHO representative office in Turkmenistan reports. The laboratory has been awarded three certificates from the Munich-based Institute of Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine (IML). In particular, the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory of Turkmenistan has […]
WHO enhances the national capacity on influenza virus sequencing
From December 2 to 11, 2024, a technical advisory mission of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) took place in Turkmenistan. The mission led by Dr. Andrey Komissarov and Artem Fadeev, WHO/Europe consultants on influenza virus sequencing focused on enhancing the laboratory capacity for influenza virus sequencing in Turkmenistan. The main objective […]
USAID and WHO Strengthen Tuberculosis Control in Turkmenistan
In partnership with the Government of Turkmenistan, USAID’s three-year project “Accelerating Efforts to End Tuberculosis (TB) and Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) in Turkmenistan”, implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO), has helped Turkmenistan achieve significant TB control milestones, including a notable reduction in TB incidence. The recent WTO global TB data for 2013-2023 showed a 10% […]
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge nominated by Member States to serve as WHO Regional Director for Europe for a second 5-year term
Public health priorities for the coming half-decade will focus on critical areas including national health security, mental health, the climate crisis and gender-based violence Copenhagen, 30 October 2024 The Member States of the WHO European Region have nominated Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge to the office of WHO Regional Director for Europe for a second […]
Turkmenistan studies benefits of the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health with the launch of a new project
On 3 October UNECE and the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) concluded a two-day event in Ashgabat for Turkmen government representatives and academia to discuss the benefits and provisions of the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. The event kicked […]
End Stigma To End Aids – Once And For All
OP-ED by Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe Central Asia Twenty-four years ago, Maria Godlevkskaya was in a coma in a hospital in Russia, her immune system having failed without treatment for her HIV. She had been diagnosed with the virus five years earlier. Fast forward to today, and not only […]
International Training Course on Tuberculosis Treatment Enhances Expertise for Turkmen Specialists
In a significant step toward combating tuberculosis (TB) and improving patient care, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently hosted a five-day international training course. The course, titled “Treatment of TB, RR-TB, and TB Infection in accordance with WHO recommendations and national guidelines,” brought together TB specialists […]
The first meeting on “Youth4Health” initiative took place in Ashgabat
Young people are often seen as active members of communities unafraid to challenge the status quo and raise their voices. To build inclusive and sustainable future for all, it is essential to hear the voice of young people in health-related decision-making processes. Youth4Health (Youth for Health) is a special initiative of Dr. Hans Henri P. […]
Economic growth and health go hand-in-hand: Central Asia International Forum in Bishkek spotlights health investments as a catalyst for regional transformation
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 26 June 2024 – Under the motto “Health is the best investment”, the first-ever Central Asia International Health Investment Forum is bringing together international, regional and national stakeholders to highlight the transformative potential of health investments for sustainable development across the 5 WHO Member States of Central Asia. Hosted under the patronage of […]
The multiplier effect of investing in health
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe Central Asia is a region with enviable potential. About half of its population of 80 million people is under the age of 30. It bridges the economic power blocs of Europe and Asia. This year GDP growth in these 5 countries is estimated to be […]
WHO Turkmenistan: Interview with the WHO Regional Director organized in the framework of the Central Asia International Health Investment Forum
In the run-up to the Central Asia International Health Investment Forum in Kyrgyzstan, the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, speaks about WHO’s cooperation with the Government of Turkmenistan in the field of health, the importance of investment in health, the successes achieved and the joint work in accelerating progress towards achieving SDG […]
National Intersectoral Coordination Committee on the “One Health” approach established in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan takes bold actions for the implementation of thе “One Health” approach in the country, which aims to enhance the health of people, animals and ecosystems. Addressing complex health challenges and successful implementation of this approach requires coordinated collaboration across various sectors of the government. In this regard, on June 4, 2024, the first meeting […]
UNICEF Introduces WHO Handbook for Child and Adolescent Health Workers in Turkmenistan
UNICEF Turkmenistan, with support from international consultant Professor Olena Staretz, held an introductory training for health workers on the WHO Pocket Handbook “Primary health care for children and adolescents” from 28 to 30 May 2024. Developed by the European Bureau of the World Health Organization and published in 2023, the pocket handbook provides guidelines for […]
Turkmenistan joins celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization
European Immunization Week (21-27 April 2024) launches a year-long commemoration of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), a global initiative launched in 1974 to expand the benefits of essential WHO-recommended vaccines to all. The EPI has become one of the biggest public health successes of the 20th and 21st century, saving up to 5 million […]
WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan Hosts a Workshop on sharing experience in strengthening and digitalizing health information system and a Training course on entering data into the WHO tool for mapping health data collection and reporting forms
Availability of quality and timely health information is at the core of responsive national health system and is essential for rapid and informed decision making. Recognizing the challenges associated with collecting and processing health information can support efforts to strengthen and modernize the health information system (HIS). Conducting situation analysis to understand the flow of […]
President of Turkmenistan leads bicycle rally in Ashgabat
Coinciding with the World Health Day, Turkmenistan organized on 7 April 2024 a bicycle rally in Ashgabat and the provincial capitals of the country. It was a massive event, led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The World Health Day 2024 is celebrated globally under the theme ‘My health, my right.’ Turkmenistan continues to strengthen and widen […]
Call for urgent agreement on international deal to prepare for and prevent future pandemics
A high-powered intervention by 23 former national Presidents, 22 former Prime Ministers, a former UN General Secretary and 3 Nobel Laureates is being made today to press for an urgent agreement from international negotiators on a Pandemic Accord, under the Constitution of the World Health Organizaion, to bolster the world’s collective preparedness and response to […]
“I fell down, but I stood up” – The story of volleyball coach Ibragim, Turkmenistan
Now a volleyball coach for people with disabilities, Ibragim embodies the spirit of overcoming adversity. His journey began with an unexpected turn when he lost his foot in a car accident while working at a train station. The accident plunged him into a series of physical and mental challenges, marked by the heavy burden of […]
The ‘invisible’ patients during emergencies deserve our attention
By Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe We live in an age of perma-crisis. Here in the WHO European Region we have faced an unprecedented number of emergencies in recent years, including disease outbreaks and a pandemic, major escalations of conflict, extreme weather events, and natural or man-made disasters. In addition, the […]
Statement – COVID-19 vaccines saved at least 1.4 million lives in the European Region
Statement by Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe: Good morning, good afternoon. I’d like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year from everyone here at the WHO Regional Office for Europe. We certainly hope for a healthy and more peaceful 2024. And on that note, I’d like to […]
WHO Supports Health Education in Turkmenistan Conducting Immunization Sessions for Secondary School Students
January 16, 2024. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – In November and December 2023, the WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, conducted a series of health education sessions on immunization and healthy lifestyles in schools in Turkmenistan. Over the course of […]
WHO and USAID held a training on engaging communities in tuberculosis treatment
December 18-22, 2023 – WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) held a comprehensive training on Standardized Package of Community-Based Support Service, under a joint project on “Accelerating efforts to end TB in Turkmenistan.” Led by prominent WHO expert Dr. Armen Hayrapetyan, the training focused on implementing a […]
Turkmen medical professionals tested WHO-innovated virtual reality training tool for sanitary inspection of ships
A new digital solution of the World Health Organization for the sanitary inspection of ships was tested for the first time by participants of the 4-day training in Istanbul, including medical workers from Turkmenistan. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the maritime sector, proving the critical importance of maintaining public health capacity […]
WHO Highlights 2023 Achievements in Turkmenistan’s Healthcare
The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised Turkmenistan’s remarkable progress in the healthcare sector throughout 2023. In an article published in the “Neutral Turkmenistan” newspaper, Dr. Egor Zaitsev, the WHO representative in the country, outlined key successes achieved through close collaboration between WHO and the Turkmenistan government. Significant progress has been made in curbing tuberculosis […]
WHO to provide technical advisory support on mhGAP-IG mental health program implementation in Turkmenistan
On November 13, WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan welcomed Dr. Peter Hughes, WHO/Europe expert on mhGAP-IG program. The visit aimed at providing technical advisory support in the implementation of the mhGAP-IG (Mental Health Action Gap) program in Turkmenistan. Additionally, the visit included piloting of the mhGAP-IG program at the International Traumatology Center, introducing the EQUIP […]
WHO recognizes Turkmenistan’s successes in the fight against hepatitis B
Turkmenistan has received a Certificate confirming its achievement of the regional goals for combating hepatitis B set out in the Action Plan for the Health Sector Response to Viral Hepatitis in the WHO European Region. The document was issued by the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (ETAGE), convened by the Regional Office […]
WHO CO in Turkmenistan facilitates technical advisory mission of WHO experts on strengthening National Emergency Medical Team capacities in Turkmenistan
On October 16, technical advisory mission of WHO experts on EMT was welcomed by WHO CO in Turkmenistan. The purpose of the technical advisory mission included the reiteration of the formal commitment of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan (MoHMIT) on the development of the National EMT (NEMT), enhancement of Turkmenistan’s capacity […]
Turkmenistan and the UN reaffirm path towards further strengthening of cooperation
On June 6, 2023, the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov with the heads of UN agencies in Turkmenistan and regional agencies of this Organization was held via videoconference. The meeting was attended by the Regional Director of the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) for Europe and Central Asia […]
Turkmenistan’s experience is presented at the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health
Turkmenistan’s experience in addressing global environmental and health challenges was presented at the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health Protection held on 5-7 July in Budapest (Hungary) under the auspices of the European Environment and Health Process (EHRP), the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan reports in the newspaper “Neutral Turkmenistan”. It […]
Press Statement by the Ministry of Health Care and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan on the occasion of World Health Day
The annual celebration of the World Health Day on 7 April is a significant event both for the Turkmen people and for all progressive humanity. This year, on 7 April, the World Health Organization, founded on the collective initiative of the countries of the world in 1948 and aimed at strengthening human health, maintaining security […]
Central Asian Ministries of Health unite forces at high-level meeting in Dushanbe
High-level focal points from Ministries of Health of Central Asian countries met in Dushanbe in the Republic of Tajikistan on June 27th, to discuss how subregional collaboration and prioritized activities and investments can accelerate delivery on global, regional and national commitments for health and well-being. This meeting, organized by the World Health Organization, paved the […]
WHO: Turkmenistan has achieved over 95% vaccine coverage
24 April marks the start of European Immunization Week (EIW). This event is a pillar in what the World Health Organization is calling the year of ‘The Big Catch Up’, aimed to tackle decline in childhood vaccination rates across the world. As such, WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan, together with the UN Agencies and the […]
Genomic sequencing: supporting Turkmenistan to fight influenza viruses and prepare for future pandemics
With support from WHO/Europe, for the first time, genomic sequencing is now being used in Turkmenistan to rapidly detect influenza viruses and determine if current influenza vaccines are efficient, respond accordingly and, ultimately, save lives and protect people from severe respiratory infections. Recently, WHO/Europe organized training for laboratory specialists in Turkmenistan on genomic sequencing of […]
ELA Tier 2: Strengthening transformational leadership for health to drive health systems change
Supporting health leadership for the present while building health leadership for the future is at the heart of the Pan-European Leadership Academy (ELA) Tier 2 demonstration project, which closed last week in Copenhagen. Since March, 8 mid-career professionals from health ministries and affiliated institutions from Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan […]
Medical specialists of the sanitary and epidemiological services and medical institutions of the Health Ministry of Turkmenistan complete a training on “Health-Care Waste Management”
On May 19, with the support of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan (MoHMIT), WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan together with the United Nations Development Programme in Turkmenistan (UNDP) convened a training on Health-Care Waste Management for the medical specialists of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Services and medical institutions of the MoHMIT. […]
First successful experience on influenza viruses sequencing in Turkmenistan with hands-on training of World Health Organization
Dr. Ayjeren Myratdurdyyeva, WHO As part of the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework in Turkmenistan, technical advisory mission of Mr. Artem Fadeyev, Consultant of WHO/Europe was carried out to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on strengthening national capacity in the field of influenza viruses sequencing from 9 to 18 February 2023. During the mission, there […]
Первый успешный опыт секвенирования вирусов гриппа в Туркменистане с практическим обучением при поддержке Всемирной организации здравоохранения (ВОЗ)
Автор: Др. Мураддурдыева Айджерен, ВОЗ В рамках реализации Механизма готовности к пандемическому гриппу (ГПГ) в Туркменистане, в стране была проведена консультативно-техническая миссия ВОЗ по вопросам усилении национального потенциала в области секвенирования вирусов гриппа с участием Фадеева Артема, консультанта Европейского регионального бюро Всемирной организации здравоохранения (ЕРБ ВОЗ). Миссия состоялась в период с 9 по 18 февраля […]
OSCE and UNOCT organize a regional workshop in Turkmenistan focused on prevention of bioterrorism attacks
A regional workshop on countering terrorism was held on 5-6 June 2023 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, focusing on the prevention of bioterrorism attacks involving biological agents and toxins. The workshop was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat in partnership with the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) Programme […]
Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the UN Office at Geneva hosted a meeting of Central Asian Health Ministers with WHO Regional Director for Europe
On 21 May 2023, a meeting of the Health Ministers of the Central Asian countries and WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr.Hans Kluge was held in the premises of the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the UN Office at Geneva. From the Central Asian countries the meeting was attended by: Turkmenistan – Dr. Atageldi Germanov, […]
Tripartite joint mission to support the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan in the operationalization of “One Health” approach in Turkmenistan
On May 8, 2023, WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan welcomed Regional tripartite joint technical mission on the implementation of the “One Health” approach in Turkmenistan. The Regional tripartite mission includes representatives of WHO Europe, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Organization for Animal Health in Central Asia. The mission aimed at providing […]
Turkmen Health Minister addressed 76th session of World Health Assembly
On 23 May 2023 the delegation of Turkmenistan led by Dr. Atageldi Germanov, Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan has participated in the 76th Session of the World Health Assembly. During the high-level segment of the Session, the head of the Turkmen delegation delivered a statement in which he highlighted Turkmenistan’s efforts to […]