On 10 September, Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Sh. Meredov, met with the Minister of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, A. Hudayarov, in Tashkent. During the talks, the parties discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation in the fields of healthcare, pharmaceuticals and medical education. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen delegation presented information on the creation of a large-scale medical cluster in Arkadag, focused on scientific research in the field of drug development and the production of medical products. Attention was also paid to the activities of the ‘Arkadag Medisina Klasteri Menejment’ enterprise, which has a certificate of conformity from the State Certification System of Turkmenistan. As part of the visit, a specialised presentation of the Turkmenistan medical cluster was held at the Republican Specialized Surgical Scientific and Practical Medical Centre named after Academician V. Vakhidov. The event brought together heads of medical institutions and representatives of the business community of Uzbekistan. Speaking at the presentation, Ambassador Sh. Meredov emphasised that under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, a set of measures is being implemented to develop the national healthcare system. Participants in the event noted that the Arkadag medical cluster is an innovative initiative aimed at integrating scientific research, educational programmes and advanced global practices in the field of medicine.
A meeting was held in Ashgabat between the Minister of Health of Turkmenistan, Myrat Mammedov, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan, Ravshanbek Alimov. This was reported by IIC. The parties discussed expanding cooperation in medicine, including the exchange of experience, interaction between specialists, institutions and manufacturers of medicines and equipment. Particular attention was paid to the initiative to create an International Academic Hub for Paediatric Oncology, which was previously proposed in Tashkent. Uzbekistan's participation in the ‘Healthcare, Education and Sport’ exhibition, which will be held in Ashgabat from 10 to 12 October, was also discussed, with the possibility of presenting the country's medical and pharmaceutical potential. The negotiations confirmed the significant potential for bilateral cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals and medical education.
Specialists at the Scientific and Production Centre for Horse Breeding of the State Association ‘Türkmen atlary’ are introducing modern physiotherapy methods for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system in horses. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal with reference to the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. Together with teachers from the Aba Annayev International Academy of Horse Breeding, they are studying the use of electromagnetic fields, laser and light radiation. The research uses equipment from leading manufacturers: the ‘Summerwind Premium Solarium’ therapeutic solarium for phototherapy, the ‘Mphi Vet’ laser device for stimulating tissue regeneration, and the ‘Biomag Lumina’ electromagnetic blanket for recovery and prevention after exercise. The development of physiotherapy technologies is recognised as one of the centre's priorities and will continue to be used in practical horse breeding, including when working with Ahal-Teke horses.
Turkmen surgeons have performed selective dorsal rhizotomy for the first time — a complex spinal surgery to treat cerebral palsy in children. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The patient was a 10-year-old child diagnosed with cerebral palsy and spastic tetraparesis. The surgery was successful, and the boy is in satisfactory condition. Rhizotomy helps reduce muscle spasticity and improve the motor activity of patients with cerebral palsy. Professor Maximilian Boschick Broneck from Germany, who also conducted consultations and examinations during the working visit, participated in the operation. The operation was part of a healthcare modernisation programme and was carried out with the support of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship. The successful introduction of the new technique opens up prospects for the treatment of children with neurological diseases in Turkmenistan.
A presentation of the programme ‘Experience Malaysia Healthcare’ was held in Ashgabat, organised by the Malaysian Embassy in Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan. The event was timed to coincide with Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 and Visit Malaysia Year (VM) 2026. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Participants were presented with medical tourism opportunities and cultural attractions of the country. Malaysian Ambassador Mohd Suhaimi bin Ahmad Tajuddin noted the combination of advanced medicine with tourism potential, direct flights between Ashgabat and Kuala Lumpur, and a visa-free regime for Turkmen citizens. About 30 travel agencies from different regions of Turkmenistan received information about comprehensive treatment and recreation programmes. According to the Malaysian Medical Tourism Council, the industry is actively developing, attracting patients from all over the world.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed his condolences to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in connection with the crash of the ‘Angara’ Airlines plane, which took many lives. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Serdar Berdimuhamedov conveyed words of support and sympathy to the families of the victims on behalf of the people and government of Turkmenistan and on his own behalf.
The Ministry of Health of Turkmenistan hosted a scientific and practical conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the State Programme ‘Saglyk’. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The event was attended by representatives of medical institutions from the cities of Ashgabat, Arkadag and the country's velayats, as well as teachers and students of the Myrat Garryev State Medical University. An exhibition was organised as part of the event, showcasing medical equipment, medicinal plant products and achievements in the field of healthcare. The conference discussed the successes of the ‘Saglyk’ programme, the strengthening of the material and technical base of medical institutions and the improvement of the quality of medical services. The conference reaffirmed Turkmenistan's commitment to the principles of healthy lifestyles and disease prevention. Participants were presented with gifts, and the results of ‘The Best Hospital’ competition were announced. Similar events were held throughout the country, highlighting the importance of the ‘Saglyk’ programme for the national healthcare system.
A meeting was held at the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan with Oguljahan Atabayeva, Vice-President for Medical Activities of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The meeting discussed the significance of events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the ‘Saglyk’ (‘Health’) State Programme and the 4th anniversary of the establishment of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation. Following the meeting, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between the foundation and the ministry. It was noted that over the 30 years of implementation of the ‘Saglyk’ programme, developed on the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the country's healthcare system has been significantly modernised: modern methods of treatment, technologies and WHO standards are being introduced. The role of the fund in providing medical care to children in need of care, including surgery and rehabilitation, was also emphasised. The new stage of cooperation will contribute to the further development of the healthcare system in the spirit of humanism and modern requirements.
From 24 June to 11 July, UNICEF conducted training sessions in Ashgabat and all velayats of Turkmenistan aimed at promoting respectful and non-discriminatory terminology in the field of mental health. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The events were part of a regional project to reduce stigma surrounding mental disorders, implemented in Central Asian countries and Belarus. More than 200 healthcare workers took part in the training. The training helped them better understand how language affects perceptions of mental health and patient trust. Participants analysed stigmatising expressions, developed alternative wording, role-played situations and discussed methods for effective communication with patients and communities. Promoting inclusive language is an important step towards creating a more empathetic and accessible mental health care system. UNICEF will continue to support Turkmenistan's efforts in this area, with a particular focus on children, adolescents and vulnerable groups.
A large-scale international event entitled ‘Healthcare, Education and Sports in the Renaissance Era of a New Epoch of a Powerful State’ will be held at the Exhibition Centre of the Ashgabat Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 10 to 12 October. The event is organised by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan in cooperation with the Turkish company ‘Net Fuar Organizasyon’. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The exhibition will showcase modern medical equipment, diagnostic technology, innovative developments from clinical centres, and the latest technologies in the fields of education and sport. Relevant ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, foreign companies and members of the country's Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs have confirmed their participation. A scientific conference will be held in parallel with the exhibition, where topical issues of healthcare, education and the sports industry will be discussed. The event will be an important platform for demonstrating Turkmenistan's achievements and strengthening international cooperation in these key social areas.
An online training course organised by the World Health Organisation's country office was held in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The event was attended by 15 representatives of the country's Ministry of Health and Medical Industry and the Myrat Garryev State Medical University of Turkmenistan. The main objective of the training was to strengthen national capacity in the development of clinical guidelines for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) based on evidence-based medicine. The training was held virtually from the UN building in Ashgabat and focused on clinical protocols, quality assurance in healthcare and NCD treatment methodologies. This was an important step towards the creation of sustainable health systems based on scientifically sound approaches. The training was organised as part of the project ‘Procurement of Medicines and Health Products for the Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) in Turkmenistan through UNDP’.
A working meeting with representatives of the Swiss pharmaceutical company La Roche was held at the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The focus of the discussion was on the further development of programmes to provide medical support to children with rare diseases such as haemophilia and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). During the meeting, issues related to long-term therapy provision, training of Turkmen specialists and the transfer of diagnostic materials were discussed. Roche confirmed its readiness to continue consistent cooperation with Turkmenistan in this area.