Health
Oncologists in Turkmenistan are mastering new treatment methods with support from WHO and UNDP
13.12.2025A specialised training course for Turkmen oncologists was held in Ashgabat, organised by the WHO Country Office with the support of UNDP. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The training took place at the Scientific and Clinical Oncology Centre and focused on modern cancer treatment methods, including port systems and catheter chemotherapy. Experts from the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the Eurasian School of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, and leading Moscow clinics participated in the course. Among them were Dr Vitaly Smelov, Dr Kirill Kirgizov, Professor Timur Valiyev and Professor Nune Matinyan. The programme combined theory, video demonstrations from operating theatres and practical sessions covering the installation of port systems, the administration of chemotherapy and infection control measures. Updates to clinical protocols for adults and children were also discussed with a view to bringing national standards into line with WHO international recommendations as part of the GICC initiative. The course was part of a UNDP project to strengthen Turkmenistan's health system through the procurement of medicines and medical devices to combat non-communicable diseases.
German professor highly praised the level of medicine in Turkmenistan
03.12.2025Professor Arianeb Mehrabi from Heidelberg University Hospital in the Federal Republic of Germany is visiting Turkmenistan, where he is sharing his experience with local specialists. This was reported by the Orient news agency. During his visit to the multidisciplinary hospital in Arkadag, the professor examined patients who had undergone kidney transplants and noted the high level of technical equipment at the medical facility. According to the professor, the medical infrastructure of Arkadag is based on modern technologies, and the quality of care provided meets advanced international standards.
Turkmenistan holds training on assessing the risks of zoonotic diseases
03.12.2025An extended training course on the use of a modern tool for joint assessment of zoonotic disease risks within the framework of the ‘One Health’ approach was held in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the IIC. The event, organised by the WHO, was aimed at strengthening inter-agency cooperation, developing surveillance and increasing preparedness for biological threats. WHO experts presented participants with modern methods for analysing epidemiological data, assessing risk factors and identifying vulnerabilities, as well as practical approaches to developing response measures. The programme included studying the structure of the risk assessment tool, working with probability and consequence matrices, analysing scenarios of interagency cooperation, and modelling situations related to zoonotic infections. The training was attended by specialists from veterinary services, health care, environmental protection agencies and other structures working with biological and epidemiological risks. The State Veterinary Service was represented by Arslan Soltanmyradov, Head of the Department of International and Scientific Relations. A. Soltanmyradov noted that the introduction of an international risk assessment tool significantly strengthens epidemiological surveillance, improves data exchange between agencies and increases the country's preparedness for possible outbreaks of zoonotic diseases. The use of the tool allows for the rapid identification of threats, improved interaction between sectors, the formation of a common understanding of risks, and increased resilience of national health and veterinary control systems.
Turkmen doctors trained in traditional Korean medicine
03.12.2025A professional development programme for doctors, involving professors from Pusan National University in South Korea, has come to an end in Turkmenistan. The course was held at the International Educational and Scientific Centre of Turkmenistan, according to Turkmenportal. The delegation included specialists in acupuncture, herbal pharmacology and the basic theory of Korean medicine. The programme consisted of four stages: lectures, practical classes and demonstrations. The doctors studied diagnostic and treatment methods, mastered acupuncture and rehabilitation techniques, as well as methods of using medicinal herbs and herbal remedies. Special attention was paid to the analysis of clinical cases. The organisers noted that the aim of the course was to expand the professional skills of Turkmen specialists and strengthen international cooperation in the field of healthcare. Previously, Turkmen doctors underwent training at the Korean Medicine Hospital at Pusan National University, where they learned about the combination of traditional methods and modern technologies. At the end of the programme, participants received certificates of completion.
UNDP has supplied new laboratory equipment for medical institutions in Turkmenistan
20.11.2025The United Nations Development Programme has delivered a batch of laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables to Turkmenistan as part of a joint project with the Ministry of Health to strengthen clinical laboratory services. This was reported by TerraNews. The delivery includes tabletop centrifuges, disposable blood collection tubes, and a wide range of reagents for general and biochemical analysis, coagulograms, and ELISA tests for viral hepatitis B and C. All equipment will be distributed among clinical laboratories throughout the country. The project is funded by the Turkmenistan government and aims to modernise laboratory infrastructure, increase its sustainability and expand access to quality diagnostic services in all regions, from etraps to the capital.
WHO seminar on environmental protection and health held in Turkmenistan
20.11.2025From 17 to 18 November, a technical advisory mission from the WHO Regional Office for Europe visited Turkmenistan. Its aim is to support national efforts in the field of environmental and health protection within the framework of the ‘One Health’ approach, according to Turkmenportal. The delegation was led by Sinaia Netanyahu, Programme Manager for Environmental and Health Impact Assessment at the WHO European Centre. During the visit, a national seminar was held on the implementation of the ‘One Health’ approach. Representatives of relevant ministries, departments, the Myrat Garryev State Medical University, the S. A. Niyazov Turkmen Agricultural University and the Academy of Sciences took part in the seminar. The integration of environmental aspects into national ‘One Health’ initiatives within the framework of the multi-country Pandemic Fund project was discussed. Participants focused on health, environmental and agricultural challenges, as well as the need for cross-sectoral coordination in surveillance, risk assessment and response to disease outbreaks. In addition, experts considered the alignment of the environmental component of the ‘One Health’ approach with the Joint Environmental Action Plan, the WHO Roadmap for Central Asia, the Budapest Declaration and global biodiversity documents, including the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health. Special attention was paid to the effective use of the Pandemic Fund's resources.
‘Mission DOBRO’ in Ashgabat: Russian medical professionals strengthen cooperation with Turkmenistan
17.11.2025A delegation of doctors from the Russian Railways Medicine network made a working visit to Turkmenistan as part of the international volunteer initiative ‘Mission DOBRO’. Yulia Balakina, senior inspector for medical prevention and healthy lifestyle promotion at the Central Health Directorate of Russian Railways, told the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. ‘This is our second trip to Turkmenistan as part of the mission, and it is a great honour for us to return here,’ Yulia Balakina emphasised. The delegation included six doctors of various specialties from Russian Railways Medicine clinics. The Russian specialists visited key medical institutions in Ashgabat, including the International Centre for the Treatment of Eye Diseases, the Scientific and Clinical Centre for Cardiology, the Centre for Maternal and Child Health, and the International Rehabilitation Centre. This year, for the first time, a neurologist was included in the delegation at the request of the Turkmen side. He conducted numerous consultations for children with neurological diseases and gave lectures on speech development disorders. In total, over 120 patients were examined during the mission, and six ophthalmological, cardiac surgery and gynaecological operations were performed. The delegation members highly appreciated the level of technical equipment in Turkmen medical centres, emphasising that it meets modern international standards. During a visit to the Ministry of Health of Turkmenistan, the Russian side expressed its gratitude for the warm welcome and the opportunity to continue cooperation. Promising areas for future collaboration include the exchange of experience, internships, master classes and the strengthening of educational work.
The international volunteer programme ‘Mission DOBRO’ has been launched in Turkmenistan
11.11.2025The second international volunteer programme, ‘Mission DOBRO’, has been launched in Turkmenistan with the participation of doctors from the Russian Railways Medicine network. This was reported by TerraNews. The Russian delegation includes leading specialists in various fields: cardiac surgeon Professor Zaur Shugushev, therapist Sergey Cheremushkin, surgeon Kamil Veliyev, ophthalmologist Olga Dovgileva, neurologist Larisa Davydova, and obstetrician-gynaecologist Natalya Davydenko. As part of the programme, the doctors will hold master classes, lectures and consultations in medical institutions in Turkmenistan, sharing their experience with local doctors and students. The ‘Mission DOBRO’ project, implemented by Rossotrudnichestvo and the Dobro.RF Association since 2021, is aimed at developing international humanitarian cooperation. During this time, about 50 missions have been carried out in 20 countries, during which more than 15,000 people have received assistance.
A meeting with Russian doctors will be held in Ashgabat as part of the ‘Mission DOBRO’ project
10.11.2025On 10 November, an open meeting will be held in Ashgabat with a delegation of Russian medical specialists who have arrived in Turkmenistan as part of the international humanitarian project ‘Mission DOBRO,’ according to the news resource AsmanNews. During the event, participants will be able to learn about opportunities for medical education and the specifics of working in the healthcare sector, as well as ask questions to practising doctors from Russia. The delegation includes representatives from various fields of Russian medicine and specialists in the field of disease prevention. The meeting is aimed at high school students and applicants who plan to pursue a career in medicine.
WHO/Europe consultative and technical mission held in Ashgabat
28.10.2025From 20 to 25 October, a consultative and technical mission from the WHO Regional Office for Europe worked in Ashgabat with the aim of supporting Turkmenistan in the process of validating the elimination of vertical transmission of hepatitis B and syphilis. This was reported by the online news resource TerraNews. The mission provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and assessed the country's progress in achieving national goals within the framework of the regional Triple Elimination Initiative (HIV, syphilis and HBV). During the visit, the experts met with the leadership of the Ministry of Health, visited the country's leading medical institutions and, on 23 October, participated in a seminar of the National Working Group, where a roadmap for the validation of double elimination was developed. The results of the mission were summarised at a final meeting at the Ministry of Health and the WHO Country Office.
Turkmenistan is improving approaches to treating chronic respiratory diseases
19.10.2025From 10 to 15 October, the WHO Country Office organised a visit by experts from the WHO Regional Office for Europe to Turkmenistan to improve the prevention and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases, including COPD and bronchial asthma. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. Together with national specialists, the experts reviewed clinical guidelines, adapting them to modern scientific standards, and developed patient-oriented clinical pathways. This will improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases. During the mission, training seminars were held on pulmonology, allergology, clinical audit and quality assessment of medical care. The classes were held at the International Physiological Scientific and Clinical Centre, as well as at medical institutions in Ashgabat and Turkmenabat. WHO technical specialists Elena Tsoi and Nino Maglakelidze took part in an international conference dedicated to Medical Workers' Day. The visit culminated in a meeting of the national working group, where the results were summarised and steps were outlined for the implementation of successful practices across the country. The mission was part of a UNDP project to procure medicines and medical supplies to combat non-communicable diseases in Turkmenistan.
Arkadag city's medical cluster to be promoted in Germany
19.10.2025The Arkadag medical cluster will be presented at the Turkmenistan Economy Days in Frankfurt (Germany). This was announced by Nokerguly Atagulyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, at a government meeting on 17 October, according to the state news agency TDH. The forum aims to familiarise German businesses with Turkmenistan's investment projects and develop bilateral business ties, including the signing of partnership agreements. More than 50 German companies have registered to participate. The programme covers projects in the oil and gas and chemical industries, agriculture, the textile industry, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, including a presentation by the ‘Arkadag Medisina Klasteri Menejment’ medical cluster. The events will be attended by industry leaders, banks and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. After hearing the report, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted the active development of the country's international cooperation and instructed the Deputy Prime Minister to prepare the Days of Turkmenistan's Economy in Germany at a high level to strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties.
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