14 November marks World Diabetes Day. In Turkmenistan, government programmes are being implemented in this area, medical infrastructure is being developed, and scientific research into medicinal plants is being carried out. This is reported by Arzuw.news, citing the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’.

The date coincides with the birthday of Frederick Banting, one of the discoverers of insulin. Work continues in the country to prevent diseases and improve the healthcare system.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, there are 537 million people worldwide aged between 20 and 79 with diabetes. A further 541 million adults, according to World Health Organisation estimates cited in the article, are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

In Turkmenistan, the ‘Saglyk’ State Programme and the National Programme for the Development of Physiological Sciences for 2024–2028 are currently in force. The Law of Turkmenistan ‘On the Prevention of Infectious Diseases’ has also been adopted.

In recent months, an 80-bed Dental Centre, a 150-bed International Paediatric Centre and a 500-bed International Oncology Centre have opened in the country. Previously, hospitals and diagnostic facilities equipped with modern equipment were built in Ashgabat, the city of Arkadag and the provincial centres.

Research into medicinal plants is being carried out at the International Technology Park of the Academy of Sciences. The scientific work draws on the multi-volume work by the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, entitled ‘Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan’.

In addition, the Myrat Garryev State Medical University of Turkmenistan hosted a scientific and practical conference entitled ‘Contemporary Aspects of Diabetes’.

In 2019, at a conference in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan received a certificate from the World Health Organisation for its contribution to the prevention of non-communicable diseases.