The President of Turkmenistan holds working session on prevention of infectious diseases

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held working session with Chairman of Emergency Committee for Combating Spread of Diseases, Minister of Health Protection and Medical Industry N. Amannepesov.

The issues of support of sanitary wealth, implementation of measures for control of spread and prevention of infectious diseases, further improvement of medical services to the population have been discussed.

Reporting on work in these directions, the Minister told to the Head of the State that efficient system of epidemiological control has been arranged. It was mentioned that Turkmenistan has started taking necessary measures aimed at prevention of the threat since the very beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Integrated work has been carried out to stop entering of infectious diseases entering the country. The Control Centre has been established in the structure of the Ministry of Health Protection and Medical Industry and local control center in Turkmenabat.

Work of Emergency Commission for Combating the Spread of Diseases has been arranged on systematic base. 71 sessions of the Commission, during which the priority activities aimed at prevention of entry and spread of dangerous virus disease to the country as well as combating infectious diseases, have been held.

In this regard, important resolutions have been adopted and decisions have been made, relative amendments of national legislation have been made as well as temporary Orders and Provisions have been issued following the world practice.

The implemented efficient measures include the establishment of three-tier preventive system. Control checkpoints have been set between the districts in frontier zone, monitoring of movement and health condition of the population has been conducted. All checkpoints are provided with necessary special resources and helicopters for provision of fast medical assistance.

Fulfilling the instructions of Head of the State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, quarantine control buildings for 80 patients have been built at Farab, Serakhs and Garabogaz border control checkpoints. Disinfection facilities with sanitizing and fumigation equipment designated for treatment of motor vehicles have been built at 9 border checkpoints (Garabogaz, Serhetyaka, Turkmenbashy and Etrek in Balkan Region, Kaahka and Serakhs in Ahal Region, Serhetabat in Mary Region, Ymamnazar and Farab in Lebap Region).

Helicopter shift has been arranged for provision of medical aid in emergency situations and delivery of samples to laboratory. In future, it is planned to procure medical helicopters from the Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation.

Field hospitals have been organized for monitoring of health condition of the citizens who came from foreign countries. The Minister noted that Turkmen students and citizens, who were in the states with severe epidemiological situation, have been brought home by special flights. This work is continued at present time.

The hospitals have been shifted to red alert readiness mode in order to prevent entry and spread of disease in the country.

At present time, 19 laboratories for detection of infectious diseases by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method are open in the capital and regions. The laboratories are equipped with diagnostic equipment from South Korea, Switzerland, Germany and Turkey.

Medication to the amount of 10 million US dollars have been bought for provision of the population with medicine used for prevention of the virus infection.

In addition, 240,000 potions of seasonal flu vaccine have been delivered to the country. Vaccination of high risk citizens have been made and this work is continued. Production of face masks, protective and sanitizing equipment as well as protective suits for medical personnel has been arranged.

Regular awareness session on strict compliance with personal hygiene rules, wearing of masks and keeping social distance received special currency these days when new outbreak of coronavirus is observed in the world.

Thus, wide-scale explanatory work in the country supports to improvement of skills of the population in combating diseases. Doctors from the health centers have conducted medical checkups of students of secondary and professional schools and universities, personnel of organizations and facilities and other citizens.

Medical resources have been sent as humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russian Federation during bad epidemiological situation related to the spread of COVID-19 in the world.

Medication and medical supplies and equipment used for prevention of diseases have been supplied as a friendly aid to our country from South Korea, United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Turkey, Japan and the People’s Republic of China.

Acute Infectious Disease Readiness and Response Plan has been adopted according to the Resolution of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov from May 22, 2020. According to the document, complex of preventive measures has been specified together with structural divisions of the UN in the country and other competent international structures and work for implementation of these measures is carried out.

Number of online meeting has been held with General Director of the World Health Organization Tedros Ghebreyesus at the initiative of Turkmenistan and with support of the Foreign Ministry. During the meetings, the sides have exchanged the views on positive experience in prevention of spread of infectious diseases in the country.

Online conferences, briefings and meetings have been held with the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, representatives of health protection organizations from foreign countries and competent international structures for study of the world practice. The officials and specialists of the WHO implements systematic control of the situation, which is aimed at prevention of spread of infectious diseases in the country.

N. Amannepesov has assured the Head of the State that Turkmen medical personnel would put all efforts for solution of objectives for prevention of bringing and spread of infection in the country. The Minister has also asked to bless the opening of Bagabat Sanatorium and Gyoktepe District Infectious Disease Hospital, which have been built in Ahal Region.

Summing up the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that activity for strengthening of the health of Turkmenistan citizens is the most important component of socially oriented policy pursued by the government and includes number of objectives.

All of the objectives are solved on systematic basis including works for development of medicine science and education, international cooperation, enhancement of quality of medical services, improvement of ecology, assertion of the principles of healthy life style in the society.

Outbreak of new wave of coronavirus infection in the world is a matter of concern, the President of Turkmenistan said, having highlighted that the Government holds the situation under control and takes necessary measures.

Reliable barrier has been placed to dangerous infectious diseases in the country owing to large-scale and targeted work while efficient measures in the preventive sphere significantly reduce the risk of the outbreak of disease, the President stated.

Having highlighted the importance of preventive measures, the Head of the State gave relative instructions for monitoring of epidemiological control of infectious diseases, detailed study of the situation in this direction abroad to the Minister. It was also requested to activate cooperation with structural divisions of the United Nations in this field.

The Government invests colossal resources for strengthening of equipment and facility base of national health protection sphere, opens new medical centers provided with advanced equipment, makes all conditions for study of Turkmen specialists in the biggest scientific and research centers of the world and for exchange of practice.

The Head of the State continued that using digital technologies, Turkmen medical personnel always contacts specialists of the World Health Organization and their foreign colleagues.

It was mentioned that medical diplomacy, which is to support activation of fruitful cooperation and exchange of practice in this important sphere, received special currency these days.

Cooperating with the WHO and other specialized UN structures, our country has acquired rich experience in medical diplomacy – in promotion of practical contacts between medical personnel, development of efficient measures in solution of issues of health protection of people, scientific and informational exchange in prevention and combating dangerous diseases.

Being a state, which neutral status has been recognized by the UN, Turkmenistan stands for solidarity of the countries, consolidation of their efforts in combating modern challenges and threats including those related to COVID-19.

Realizing the danger of new global threat, we made number of international initiatives aimed at consolidation of joint efforts in development of consolidated and coordinated solutions in combating coronavirus infection and continue working in this direction, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted.

Stocking of necessary medications and personal protective equipment is among preventive measures taken due to the spread of infectious disease in the world, the Head of the State said.

In this regard, the President noted importance of the Plan of procurement of vaccines and equipment for 2021 – 2025 immunization, which is implemented under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and UNICEF on provision of procurement services singed on August 28, 2015.

Preventive measure including limitation of entry to the territory of the state, movement inside the country, wearing of masks, temporary closing of catering and service facilities, disinfection of large territories with special solution using aviation, opening of special control stations at border checkpoints as well as other necessary measures have had positive effect.

The Head of the State noted that proposal, which has been confirmed in the world scientific circles, that the viruses are spread not only through airborne droplets by also by air and dust, which increase the distance of exposure significantly has been made by us from the beginning of the pandemic.

In this context, Turkmen leader has stated that successful solution of all set objectives depends on the formation of relative public opinion. Therefore, practical measures aimed at implementation of modern strategy of health protection of the nation includes propaganda and awareness activity.

Having noted the importance of wearing medical masks, strict adherence to social distancing, hand sanitation, hygienic rules, control of body temperature and use of wild rue in sanitary and preventive measures, the Head of the State gave certain assignments on systematic awareness program in media, propaganda and education work for strict compliance with hygienic regulations to the Minister of Health Protection and Medical Industry.

These are permanent monitoring of the situation, joint work of health protection organizations, all structures and population involved in preventive activity, which would allow keeping stable situation and preventing outbreak of dangerous infection in the country, Turkmen leader highlighted.

In this context, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has ordered to continue implementing preventive measures for further protection of the territory of our country from outbreak and spread of infectious diseases, to hold the session of Emergency Committee for combating the spread of diseases on regular basis.

At the same time, it is necessary to study situation in the world, which is related to infectious diseases, support cooperation with international structures in this direction, provide the country with medications and replenish the stock of medical supplies, - Turkmen leader highlighted.

The Head of the State has given specific assignments regarding organizational work for procurement of new qualitative vaccine against coronavirus infection made in different countries at present. The President has ordered to continue making medical masks, hygienic and disinfecting supplies, replenishing the stock.

Measures for medical checkups aimed at improvement of immunity of people, preventive vaccination of the population from seasonal flu, procurement of vaccine in necessary quantity were specified among important measures.

The Head of Turkmenistan has focused on the issue related to development of health protection system of the country, in particular, opening of specialized centers. New hospital with scientific and clinical physiological center, which is to become a leading treatment and preventive facility specialized in study of arid zone of the country, is among similar medical facilities.

The Center will work on prevention and combating non-infectious diseases, which are common in Turkmenistan and region, as well as will make clinical, scientific and laboratory study of unfavorable ecological impact of Aral Sea zone on health of people.

The necessity of using advanced medical technologies in strengthening of people’s health in new Rehabilitation Center has been highlighted. The Center, which is going to be built soon, will work on rehabilitation of patients with chronical diseases of cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, digestive and urinary systems, musculoskeletal system and other health problem as well as post-surgery patients and patients with complications after infectious disease.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has ordered the Minister to study matters related to health protection system facilities, which are under construction in the country, in details as well as to control the construction of medical facilities in Ahal, Balkan and Dashoguz Regions, to carry out organize work for construction of new complex of buildings of Education and Scientific Center of Mother and Child Health Protection of Myrat Garriyev State Medical University.

Having noted the importance of further reforms and improvement of legal base of health protection sphere and medical industry, the Head of Turkmenistan gave certaininstructions for development of drafts of new national programs.

Finishing working session, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished success in solution of set objectives to Turkmen medics and all who take care of the health of the citizens.