Measures for prevention of coronavirus infection to the country discussed at the session of the Government

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who arrived on working trip to Balkan Velayat, held offsite session of the Cabinet of Ministers in Avaza Congress Centre, Turkmenbashy with participation of members of the State Security Council, Hyakims of the velayats, heads of certain ministries and departments, mass media and other officials.

Subjects related to planned measures taken for prevention of entering and spread of coronavirus infection to the country have been reviewed at the session. In this regard, reports of officials have been listened and objectives have been defined in this direction.

Reporting on measures taken for health protection of the population, Minister of Health Protection and Medical Industry N. Amannepesov highlighted that national health protection system is developed according to the Health State programme and time requirements, work for prevention and diagnostics of diseases is permanently improved on integrated basis.

Following instructions of the Head of the State for prevention and spread of new coronavirus infection in the country, which present serious threat to health of people, thus, raising big concern of entire world community, these issues are under permanent control. Comprehensive preparation is organized on high level.

Number of infectious diseases has been already eliminated in Turkmenistan including such diseases like dracunculiasis, polio, malaria, measles and rubella. The achieved success was recognized by international organizations and confirmed by relative certificates.

Solving objectives set by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in the last several years, efficient work has been continued for iodizing of salt, which allowed preventing diseases caused by deficiency of iodine. In the result of this activity, the country was awarded with international certificate for achievement of total iodization. It is remarkable that Turkmenistan was the first of the CIS and Central Asian countries and the fourth in the world, which provides iodization of the salt in accordance with international standards.

Memorandum on procurement of vaccine in 2016 – 2020 has been signed between the Ministry of Health Protection and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Children Fund. According to the document, vaccines against 11 infections namely tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Hib-infections, measles, rubella, parotitis and human papilloma virus have been purchased.

National vaccination calendar in 2019 includes other three new vaccines – against rotavirus infection, pneumococcus and virus hepatitis A.

Same like in the last year, more than 200,000 doses of influenza vaccine have been bought this year. At present, 13 vaccines against 14 infectious diseases is procured according to this order.

The country carries out large-scale work is carried out for assertion of principles of healthy life style among the population, development of sports of highest achievements and physical training movement, combating harmful habits, education of physically fit growing generation.

At first stage, medical inspection of students of schools and high educational institutes as well as military personnel has been started. Today, this work is continued. At the second stage, similar inspections are planned to be held among personnel of organizations and facilities and among people of elder generation at the third stage.

Preventive medical inspections are carried out by physicians, therapists, dentists, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists and other profile specialists. If any disorders in the health condition are detected, certain citizens are registered with clinics and receive additional examination thereafter and treatment on out-patient or in-patient basis.

Further, the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Protection M. Bayramdurdiyev reported on the situation on agricultural complex as well as on the measures for prevention of spread of infectious diseases in the country and their negative impact.

The Head of the State has focused on the fact that strict control is required for organization of comprehensive measures for non-admittance of entering of virus infections to the territory of Turkmenistan in divisions of agricultural complex and natural protection sphere together with organization of seasonal field works according to agricultural requirements. In this regard, it is necessary to treat the protection of ecological balance, veterinary control and prevention of possible diseases with full responsibility.

During offsite session of the Cabinet of Ministers Chairman of Türkmendemirýollary Agency A. Atamyradov reported on work for enhancement of efficiency of activity of the structure under his supervision. It was also reported that steadfast measures are taken in railroad industry for prevention of entering of infectious diseases to the country.

Having focused on importance of improvement of quality of services provided by this organization, the President ordered to monitor sanitary condition of the carriages and to continue monitoring of the passengers using mobile diagnostic equipment for infectious diseases. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has demanded to provide regularity of all these preventive measures for improvement of their efficiency.

Chairman of Türkmenawtoulaglary Agency O. Sukhanov reported on current work for activation of cargo and passenger transportation as well as on measures for prevention of negative impact of infections.

Having requested the head of the agency to make all necessary for further improvement of activity of automobile transport system of the country according to time requirements, the Head of the State pointed out the importance of prevention of COVID-19 taking into account complicated situation in the world.

Further, Chairman of Türkmendeňizderýaýollary Agency A. Hayitmuradov reported on fulfilment of assignments on bringing of the structure under his supervision to proper level as well as on measures for organized provision of work in control points.

The President of Turkmenistan has noted importance of successful solution of objectives for increment of efficiency of activity of the agency. Taking into account complicated situation in the world related to coronavirus pandemic, the Head of the State also highlighted the necessity to pay special attention to this subject, having addressed relative directions.

In his turn, Chairman of Türkmenhowaýolary Agency D. Saburov reported on activity of the organization under his supervision, wide introduction of advanced practice to work of the industry, organization of air transportation according to current situation in the world. it was informed about measures for prevention of infectious diseases including on regular disinfection.

Having listened to the report, the President of the country ordered to add integrated and effective character to activity of Türkmenhowaýolary Agency. The Head of the state highlighted the necessity of measures at control points according to medical requirements.

Having noted the importance of provision of these points with special scanning equipment of personal protective equipment, the President requested to hold work in this direction under permanent control.

During the session of the Cabinet of Ministers, the floor was given to Ya. Kakayev, the Advisor of the President of Turkmenistan on oil and gas affairs, who reported on the situation if fuel and energy sector and implementation of preventive measures in the structures of the complex.

Having noted that it is necessary to pay special attention to improvement of efficiency of works in oil and gas industry as to one of the most important branches of national economy, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the necessity of steadfast introduction of science into all divisions of energy sector.

After, Director of the Institute of Caspian Sea M. Atajanov reported on fulfilment of assignments related to scientific and research activity that is carried out in the Institute and strengthening of its equipment and facility base, increment of volumes of scientific works. Information about scientific directions of combating against COVID-19 in the world has been presented.

It has also been mentioned that big attention has to be paid to scientist study of Caspian Sea – the sea of friendship and harmony and to its biodiversity. At the same time, taking into account complicated situation in the world, it is necessary to continue relative works started at coast line. This is current objective from scientific point of view, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted.

Chairman of the central Bank M. Annadurdiyev reported on the situation in the structures under his supervision as well as of financing of divisions, which work on prevention of spread of dangerous infection.

Having noted that it is necessary to pay utmost attention to steadfast improvement of activity of financial and banking sphere, the Head of the State requested to take practical measures in this direction actively implementing modern technologies and scientific achievements. It is necessary to hold operational solution of issues of provision of the structures doing relative work for prevention of spread of coronavirus with necessary things under strict control.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Foreign Minister R. Meredov reported on work carried out all structures of the Ministry. It was also reported on preparation to shipment of goods from Turkmenistan to Russia as a sign of friendship and good neighbouring relations.

After discussion of presented reports, Turkmenistan leader addressed the participants with speech. Having noted that Russian and Turkmen people are connected with traditionally friendly relations throughout the ages, which are built on the principles of respect and support, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that good produced in our country would be sent to Russian Federation as a sign of friendship and good neighbouring relations on the threshold of common holiday – the Victory Day.

This is another demonstration of unbreakable ties between two states and nations, the President highlighted and signed relative Resolution.

Having continued the session, the Head of the State highlighted the subjects of health protection of the population, provision of safety of the citizens, which is the main goal of our country’s policy. All efforts are taken for this on the Government level; system of health protection is modernized according to the Health Programme; comprehensive measures are taken for prevention, detection and treatment of infectious diseases.

Turkmenistan permanently exchanges practices with other countries on this subject and maintains close contacts with the United Nations, its specialized agencies including the World Health Organization, takes active participation in all international events related to health protection of people, the Head of the State said.

Summing up the outcomes of current session, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that the Government of the country has approached the counteractivity against this dangerous disease and took comprehensive measures from the first days of the information about COVID-19 in the world.

Activity of the ministries and departments, especially the system of health protection, has been timely directed to combating of this new threat. Taking into account its global character and negative impact on all countries of the planet, we have established Emergency Commission for combating of spread of diseases in Turkmenistan, Turkmen leader noted.

As of today, 28 sessions of the Commission have been held, during which important decisions were made. Systematic measures against appearance and spread of severe pneumonia have been implemented immediately, three-tier preventive protection has been established.

First, the flights to and from other states, going of our citizens to foreign countries and entry of foreign citizens to Turkmenistan have been timely suspended.

Second, 9 control points namely in Turkmenbashy International Port, Garabogaz, Serhetyaka, Farab, Ymamnazar, Sehetabat, Serakhs, Artk and Akyayla have been opened for delivery and transit of cargos at the State border of Turkmenistan.

Third, control points related to railway communication have been opened in velayats and etraps. Preventive measures have been enforced in these places.

Two-stage monitoring has been established in the sphere of medical control the health condition of the population, Head of the State President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said. At first stage, samples are taken from people coming from foreign countries for laboratory studies. People are put in quarantine zones, which were open in Garabogaz, Turkmenbashy and Turkmenabat. At second, stage, citizens stay under observation of family doctors for 14 days after quarantine.

Medical facilities are provided with necessary medical equipment, personal protective equipment, test systems and disinfecting materials for enforcement of measures for prevention of spread of dangerous diseases.

24-hour duty of teams, which include personnel of Border guard, migration, medical, agricultural services and other specialists, has been arranged at all control points of the State border. Comprehensive disinfection and sanitizing measures are taken in all facilities on high level.

We have to enhance similar work on Caspian Sea, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.

In addition, strict control of quality and safety of imported food production has been introduced. protection of water reserves and water flows in Ashgabat and velayats as well as other hydro technical facilities has been enforced. Water samples are taken from all water resources for laboratory studies.

Large-scale disinfecting and sanitizing work has been expanded in all organizations, educational institutes, public places, shopping centres and markets, in all transport means, at border and in populated areas.

Explanation work is carried out among the population, in educational facilities, military divisions and industrial facilities. People are recommended to comply with sanitary regulations and personal hygiene for reduction of risk to be infected. Necessary information is published in mass media.

Due to timely integrated preventive measures, we have managed not to admit this dangerous disease to enter and spread in the country, the President of Turkmenistan said and highlighted that we have to continue this work achieving enhancement of efficiency of combating of various infections due to rapid spread of coronavirus infection in the world.

Head of the State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov named the main directions, on which organized activity has to be carried in this context:

- To replenish supplies of medicine, consumables, medical equipment and disinfecting materials for prevention of severe pneumonia, its diagnostic and treatment on regular basis;

- To continue training of all medical personnel for prevention, diagnostic and treatment of severe virus pneumonia;
- To purchase laboratory test systems and to replenish their supplies for detection of this disease;

- To establish quarantine zones with all necessary conditions meeting international standards for medical examination of citizens at all control points of the state border;

- To make back up stock of medicine and medical equipment due to scientific forecast and expectation of the second wave of coronavirus infection;

- To arrange production of additional medical equipment and to attract necessary investments for this on the base of different industrial facilities;

- To provide permanent control of epidemiological situation in the country;

- The Emergency commission for combating of spread of diseases to review proposals on organization of summer holidays and tourism in Avaza on Caspian Sea and other regions in the country in short period due to coming summer holiday season;

Taking into account what was said above, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continued that the Mejlis of Turkmenistan has to elaborate on the subject of amendment and addendum of the legislation of the country on case to case basis;
After, addressing the hyakims of the velayats participating in the session, the Head of the State gave certain assignments for proper preparation of sanatoriums located in the regions to summer holiday season.

In the end of the offsite session of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Head of the State wished strong health, family wealth and big success in work to all participants.

On the same day, having completed working trip to Balkan Velayat, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov left Turkmenbashy International Airport for the capital.