Health
A system for the protection of maternal and child health is being developed in Turkmenistan
05.08.2026In Turkmenistan, implementation is continuing of the National Programme for the Protection of Maternal and Child Health for 2026–2030, ‘Healthy Mother – Healthy Child – Healthy Future’, approved by a Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan on 20 June 2026. The document aims to improve reproductive health, reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality, and expand access to high-quality healthcare, according to the news agency TDH. The programme provides for disease prevention, early diagnosis, improvements to medical care for women during the antenatal and postnatal periods, the development of a screening system, support for families and improved training for medical staff. There are plans to review the educational programmes of relevant educational institutions, introduce new specialisms and increase student intake. In addition, the country is continuing to implement state programmes in the healthcare sector, including the ‘Saglyk’ (‘Health’) State Programme. Particular attention is being paid to breastfeeding and the prevention of iron-deficiency anaemia, iodine deficiency and vitamin D deficiency. According to the 2023 National Micronutrient Survey, the prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age, pregnant women and children has decreased compared with 2011. The development of preventive medicine, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, physical education and sport, as well as the improvement of the primary healthcare system, remain key priorities. The modernisation of medical infrastructure is continuing. Across the country’s regions, clinics, research and clinical centres, health centres and maternal and child health centres are being built and refurbished. Healthcare facilities are being supplied with modern equipment, medicines, consumables and specialised transport. The programme provides for the further development of the regional maternal and child health system, the introduction of modern clinical protocols, the strengthening of the regulatory framework and the expansion of international cooperation. Particular attention is paid to reproductive health, the prevention of infertility, the early detection of congenital and acquired diseases, and the maintenance of high immunisation coverage. In accordance with the National Immunisation Schedule, children are vaccinated against 14 infectious diseases. The procurement of vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation is funded from the state budget. Support continues in the country for children without parental care, as do the activities of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, which funds treatment, operations, rehabilitation and the purchase of medical equipment. The national programme will be implemented in two phases: between 2026 and 2028, the main activities will be carried out and an interim assessment of the results will be conducted; between 2029 and 2030, the programme will be completed and its targets achieved.
The implementation of the ‘One Health’ approach in Turkmenistan was discussed in Ashgabat
25.07.2026The fifth meeting of the National Intersectoral Coordination Committee on the Implementation of the ‘One Health’ Approach in Turkmenistan, supported by the WHO, took place at the UN building in Ashgabat. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The meeting was attended by representatives of the country’s relevant ministries and agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia. Participants reviewed the results of work carried out during the first half of 2026 and identified priority tasks within the framework of the regional project on pandemic prevention and preparedness. The main focus was on developing cross-sectoral cooperation in the field of human, animal and environmental health, as well as raising public awareness of the prevention of zoonotic infections.
Turkmenistan is expanding its capacity for high-tech medical care
24.07.2026Specialists at the Arkadag Multidisciplinary Hospital have, for the first time in Turkmenistan, carried out complex operations, including kidney transplants, on 13 patients, who continue to lead active lives. This was announced by the Head of the city’s Health Department, Saparmyrat Annamuhammedov, according to the news website Turkmenportal. Furthermore, total shoulder replacement operations have been carried out in Arkadag for the first time in the country. Modern treatment methods, mastered by doctors during training placements abroad, are being introduced in the city’s medical facilities. The development of high-tech surgery has been made possible due to modern equipment and cooperation with foreign specialists, including those from Germany. Turkmen doctors are undergoing training in European clinics, whilst new medical technologies are being introduced as part of joint projects and the Turkmen-German Medical Forum. Some of the operations and rehabilitation programmes for children are funded by the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation. Medical facilities in the city of Arkadag also provide both free state-funded services and fee-based medical care with concessions for participants in the voluntary insurance scheme. The multi-specialist hospital is one of seven healthcare facilities opened in Arkadag in 2023. These include centres for oncology, maternal and child health, emergency care and other institutions.
Doctors from Germany have arrived in Ashgabat to share their expertise in the field of healthcare
24.07.2026German specialists from the Maximilian Ludwig University Hospital in Munich (Germany) have arrived in Turkmenistan on a working visit. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. At the International Centre for Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Ashgabat, representatives from the two countries are exchanging professional expertise, with a particular focus on the introduction of modern digital medical technologies for disease prevention and the organisation of rehabilitation care. During the visit, doctors from Germany also organised training courses for Turkmen specialists on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.
A training course on combating echinococcosis was held in Ashgabat
21.07.2026A five-day training course on the prevention, diagnosis and control of echinococcosis was held in Ashgabat for specialists from Turkmenistan’s public health and epidemiological and veterinary services. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The training was organised by the World Health Organisation’s country office and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations as part of a Pandemic Fund. The sessions were delivered by international FAO experts to staff from the ministries of health and agriculture. Participants studied the epidemiology of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, practised laboratory diagnostic methods and discussed inter-ministerial cooperation. It is planned to use the knowledge gained to improve national programmes for the prevention of zoonotic diseases, employing a comprehensive approach.
Turkmenistan and Georgia discussed the development of cooperation in the field of healthcare
18.07.2026The Minister of Health of Turkmenistan, Myratberdi Gayipov, held a meeting with Mikheil Sarjveladze, Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health, and Social Affairs of Georgia. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The parties discussed issues relating to healthcare and social protection, as well as prospects for further cooperation. The Georgian side presented the ministry’s current programmes and areas of work. M. Gayipov expressed his readiness to develop cooperation, whilst Sarjveladze emphasised the importance of strengthening the partnership between the two countries.
Turkmenistan is implementing a strategy of scientific and medical diplomacy
15.07.2026Turkmenistan is implementing the National Strategy for the Development of Scientific and Medical Diplomacy for 2026–2052, which was approved in March this year alongside the Action Plan for 2026–2030. The document sets out long-term priorities for the development of the healthcare system, international cooperation and the integration of the country’s medical science into the global scientific community, reports the news agency TDH. The strategy provides for strengthening the sector’s scientific and human resources capacity, introducing modern medical and digital technologies, developing scientific research, improving the system for training specialists, and expanding cooperation with international organisations. Particular attention is paid to the development of medical diplomacy, the exchange of scientific expertise, joint research and the coordination of efforts to prevent and combat infectious and non-communicable diseases. The document also provides for the provision of humanitarian aid and the development of international partnerships in the field of healthcare. The strategy will be implemented in three phases: 2026–2030, 2031–2040 and 2041–2052. It will be carried out in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Trade Organisation and other international bodies. As part of the first phase, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, in conjunction with relevant departments, will continue to develop cooperation with the UN, the European Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the CIS, the Non-Aligned Movement, international financial institutions and other partners. An international conference on ‘Global Health Diplomacy’ among CIS countries is planned for 2026. In the coming years, Turkmenistan intends to organise high-level regional meetings, participate in international forums, implement joint research projects and promote the inclusion of health issues in the country’s initiatives and resolutions at the UN General Assembly. The document also provides for the improvement of the regulatory framework, the development of training materials on health diplomacy, the preparation of analytical reviews, the organisation of international professional development courses, and the continuation of training for Turkmen students and healthcare professionals abroad. To assess the effectiveness of the strategy’s implementation, monitoring indicators will be introduced in accordance with international standards. In 2030, it is planned to prepare a report on the implementation of the first phase and to draw up an action plan for the next period.
Turkmenistan is strengthening its system for providing reproductive healthcare in emergencies
04.07.2026The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, with the support of UNFPA, has approved an updated National Action Plan on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health in emergencies. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The document was developed on the basis of a joint response readiness assessment and replaces the 2014 version. The plan aims to ensure the continuous provision of reproductive health services, reduce the risk of HIV and other infections, and improve inter-agency coordination and the integration of these measures into the health system.
Turkmenistan is strengthening its healthcare system and disease prevention measures
03.07.2026Turkmenistan is implementing a comprehensive state policy in the field of healthcare, aimed at improving the quality of life of the population and developing the public health system. Healthcare has been identified as one of the country’s national development priorities and is regarded as the foundation of social well-being and sustainable development, according to the news agency TDH. The state policy is based on ensuring equal access for the population to high-quality medical care. Measures are being implemented to prevent diseases, ensure early diagnosis and promote a healthy lifestyle. Particular attention is being paid to combating non-communicable diseases. The country has a National Strategy for 2026–2030 in place, aimed at strengthening the public health system and preventing diseases. Previously, the Ashgabat Declaration on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases was adopted in Ashgabat, forming the basis for international cooperation in this field. Furthermore, a significant part of the work is being carried out under the ‘Saglyk’ state programme, which provides for the modernisation of the healthcare system, the construction of medical centres and the introduction of innovative technologies. Healthcare infrastructure is being developed, the network of medical facilities is expanding, and staff training and international cooperation are being strengthened. Preventive measures include promoting a healthy lifestyle, developing mass participation in sport, reducing risk factors and conducting regular medical check-ups. Particular attention is being paid to environmental aspects, the quality of food and water, and reducing the impact of environmental factors on public health. International organisations, including the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Development Programme, are involved in implementing healthcare programmes. The Strategy for 2026–2030 provides for the development of primary health care, the introduction of digital technologies, the expansion of telemedicine and the strengthening of the material and technical base of healthcare facilities. The document also aims to advance medical science, train specialists, improve disease surveillance and ensure patients have access to essential medicines. A separate focus is on information and education campaigns and raising public awareness of the risk factors for non-communicable diseases. It is expected that this set of measures will reduce morbidity rates and improve the efficiency of the healthcare system.
Turkmenistan is strengthening the implementation of digital technologies in medical education
02.06.2026A delegation from the State Medical University named after Myrat Garryyev held talks in Kazan with the companies “MedVision” and “EIDOS/medicine” on the supply of modern medical simulators to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Within the framework of the 7th Congress of the Association of Asian Universities and the IFTE-2026 forum, the rector of the university, N. Muratnazarova, presented initiatives on the introduction of AI, digital platforms, and simulation technologies in medical education. Meetings were also held with the leadership of Kazan Federal University, where programs for faculty professional development were discussed, as well as possible joint projects to create educational equipment based on IT solutions. On the sidelines of the forum, the rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Zhanseit Tuimebayev, was elected as the new head of the Association of Asian Universities.
Turkmen specialists took part in a sports medicine forum in Kazan
28.05.2026Lecturers from the Myrat Garryyev State Medical University of Turkmenistan participated in the 5th All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference “Kazan Club of Sports Doctors,” held on May 21–22 in Kazan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Turkmen specialists presented their experience in the field of sports medicine and discussed it with colleagues from different countries. The event took place at the Volga Region State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism with the support of the Kazan State Medical University and the International Federation of Physiotherapists and Rehabilitation Specialists. The conference brought together doctors, scientists, coaches, and rehabilitation specialists to exchange practical experience in sports medicine — from diagnostics and treatment to the rehabilitation of athletes. The program included plenary and sectional sessions, round tables, and workshops, where participants discussed modern methods, clinical cases, and prospects for professional cooperation.
The delegation of Turkmenistan discussed healthcare cooperation with the WHO Director-General
19.05.2026In Geneva, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the World Health Assembly, a meeting took place between the delegation of Turkmenistan and the Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The Turkmen side was led by the Deputy Minister of Health and Medical Industry, Azat Ovezov, according to the news website Turkmenportal. The parties discussed the development of cooperation in the field of healthcare and priorities in public health. The delegation also invited the WHO chief to visit Turkmenistan in October to participate in regional events. In addition, representatives of Turkmenistan are taking part in the assembly, where WHO member states are considering issues of global health and the sustainable development of healthcare systems.
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