On 24 December, a meeting was held in Ashgabat at the ‘Yyldyz’ Hotel to discuss planning, preparedness and response to public health emergencies at Turkmenistan's entry points. This was reported by IIC.

The event was organised by the World Health Organisation Country Office in Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the State Veterinary Service under the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan, health care institutions, customs, border and migration services, civil defence authorities and other relevant agencies.

Participants discussed the implementation of measures to strengthen national preparedness and response mechanisms at points of entry, as well as the coordination of inter-agency approaches in accordance with the requirements of the International Health Regulations (IHR).

Separate consideration was given to issues of advisory and technical support from the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the WHO Country Office, as well as joint plans to improve the effectiveness of responses to public health emergencies.

The report was presented by Arslan Soltanmyradov, Head of the International and Scientific Relations Department of the State Veterinary Service under the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan. He noted the role of the veterinary service in intersectoral cooperation in preventing and responding to biological threats, including zoonotic diseases.

Following the meeting, priorities for further cooperation were identified and practical steps were agreed upon to strengthen coordination, information exchange and the readiness of control services at entry points.