On December 24, a meeting was held at the “Yyldyz Hotel in Ashgabat to discuss strengthening mechanisms and procedures for planning, preparedness, and response to public health emergencies at points of entry in Turkmenistan. The World Health Organization Country Office in Turkmenistan jointly with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan organized the meeting.
Representatives of the State Veterinary Service under the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan, the healthcare sector, customs, border, migration services, civil defense, and other relevant agencies responsible for ensuring the country’s sanitary, epidemiological, and biological security participated in the meeting. The purpose of the event was to discuss the progress of measures to strengthen national public health emergency preparedness and response mechanisms and procedures at points of entry in Turkmenistan, as well as to develop coordinated interagency approaches in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR).
During the meeting, issues related to the provision of advisory and technical support by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the WHO Country Office aimed at further strengthening national capacity at points of entry were discussed. Joint plans and practical measures to enhance preparedness and response to public health emergencies were also discussed.
Arslan Soltanmyradov, Head of the Department of International and Scientific Relations, presented a report on behalf of the State Veterinary Service under the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan. In his speech, he emphasized the key role of the State Veterinary Service in intersectoral collaboration in preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats, including zoonotic diseases that may pose a risk to public health.
Particular attention was paid to coordination between control services at points of entry, as well as the need for timely information exchange and coordinated activities in accordance with the International Health Regulations. Following the meeting, priority areas for further cooperation were identified and practical steps were agreed upon to improve preparedness and response to emergencies at points of entry.
