During his working trip to the Balkan velayat, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a visiting session of the Cabinet of Ministers in the city of Turkmenbashi, at the “Avaza” Congress center, in which members of the State Security Council, hyakims of velayats, heads of individual ministries and departments, mass media and other leaders were invited to participate.
The meeting discussed issues related to planned measures taken to prevent the entry into the country and the spread of coronavirus infection. In this regard, the reports of the leaders were heard, and the upcoming tasks in this direction were outlined, the state news Agency of Turkmenistan reports.
Thus, the Minister of health and medical industry N. Amannepesov, reporting about the measures taken in the field of public health, stressed that, in accordance with the State program "Health" and the requirements of the evolving domestic health care system, in an integrated manner constantly improved prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Guided by the instructions of the head of state to prevent and spread a new coronavirus infection in the country, as a serious threat to human health and therefore of concern to the entire world community, these issues are under constant control, and comprehensive training has been organized at a high level.
Turkmenistan has already eliminated a number of infectious diseases, including dracunculiasis, polio, malaria, measles and rubella. The success achieved has been recognized by international organizations and confirmed by relevant certificates.
In recent years, solving the tasks set by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the effective work on salt iodization has continued, which has made it possible to effectively prevent diseases arising from iodine deficiency. As a result of this activity, the country was awarded an international certificate of achievement of universal iodization. It is noteworthy that Turkmenistan was recognized as the first of the CIS and Central Asian States, and the fourth in the world to provide salt iodization in accordance with international standards.
The Ministry of health and medical industry of Turkmenistan and The United Nations Children's Fund signed a Memorandum on the procurement of vaccines for 2016-2020. According to this document, vaccines were purchased against 11 types of infections: tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Hib infection, measles, rubella, mumps and human papillomavirus.
Three more new vaccines – against rotavirus infection, pneumococcus and viral hepatitis a-were included in the national vaccination calendar in 2019.
As in the previous year, more than 200,000 doses of flu vaccine were also purchased this year. Currently, 13 vaccines against 14 infectious diseases are being purchased in accordance with this procedure.
Large-scale work is underway in the country to introduce the principles of a healthy lifestyle among the population, to develop high-performance sports and mass sports movement, to combat harmful habits, and to educate the physically strong younger generation.
At the first stage, medical examinations were started for students of secondary schools in the country, students of higher educational institutions and military personnel. Today, this work continues. At the second stage, such surveys are planned to be conducted among employees of organizations and institutions, and at the third stage – among older people.
Preventive examinations are performed by pediatricians, therapists, dentists, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists and other specialists of a narrow profile. When violations in the state of health are detected, individual citizens are put on the dispensary register of doctors and undergo additional examinations, if necessary, they are prescribed outpatient or inpatient treatment.
Then the Minister of agriculture and environmental protection M. Bayramdurdiev reported on the state of Affairs in the agro-industrial complex, as well as on measures to counter the spread of infectious diseases in the country and prevent their negative impact.
The head of state drew attention to the fact that, along with the organization of seasonal field work in accordance with agro technical requirements, it is necessary to clearly monitor the implementation of complex measures in the agricultural and environmental divisions to prevent the penetration of viral infections into the territory of Turkmenistan. In this regard, it is necessary to take a responsible attitude to the issues of preserving the ecological balance, veterinary supervision and prevention of possible diseases.
During the visiting session of the Cabinet of Ministers of the country, the Chairman of the Agency "Türkmendemirýollary" A. Atamyradov reported on the ongoing work to improve the efficiency of the supervised sphere. It was also reported that consistent measures are being taken in the railway industry to prevent the import of an infectious disease that has spread throughout the world.
Focusing on the importance of improving the quality of transport services provided by this Department, the President instructed to carefully monitor the sanitary condition of cars, and further conduct passenger checks using mobile diagnostics to detect infectious diseases. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov demanded that all these preventive measures be systematic in order to increase their effectiveness.
The Chairman of the Agency "Türkmenawtoulaglary" O. Suhanov reported on the current work to enhance the transport of goods and passengers, as well as the program measures taken to prevent the negative impact of infections.
Instructing the head of the Agency to do everything necessary to further improve the country's road transport system in accordance with the requirements of the time, the head of state pointed to the importance of preventing COVID-19, given the current difficult situation in the world.
Then the Chairman of the Agency "Türkmendeňizderýaýollary" A. Haytmuradov reported on the implementation of instructions to bring the activities of the headed structure to the proper level, as well as on the measures taken to ensure the organizational support of the work carried out at the control points.
The President of Turkmenistan noted the importance of successfully solving tasks to improve the Agency's performance. Taking into account the difficult situation in the world in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, the head of state also stressed the need to pay special attention to this issue, addressing specific instructions.
In turn, the Chairman of the Agency "Türkmenhowaýollary" D. Saburov reported on the improvement of the activities of the Department headed by him, the wide introduction of best practices in the industry, the organization of air transport in accordance with the current situation. It was also reported that measures were being taken to prevent infectious diseases, including regular disinfection.
After hearing the report, the President of the country instructed to make the activities of the Agency "Türkmenhowaýollary" complex and effective. The head of state stressed the need to carry out measures deployed at checkpoints in strict accordance with medical requirements.
Noting the importance of providing these points with special scanning equipment and protective equipment, the President instructed to keep the work carried out in this direction in the center of unflagging attention.
Also during the Cabinet meeting the floor was given to the Advisor of the President of Turkmenistan on oil and gas issues Y. Kakayev, which, reporting on the state of Affairs in the energy industry, reported on the implementation of preventive measures in the structures of the complex.
Noting that the issue of improving the efficiency of work in the oil and gas industry as one of the most important sectors of the national economy should be given special attention, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized the need for systematic implementation of scientific achievements in all divisions of the energy sector.
Then the Director of the Institute of the Caspian Sea M. Atajanov reported on the implementation of instructions related to the ongoing research activities at the Institute and strengthening its material and technical base, increasing the volume of scientific work. There was information about the scientific directions of the fight against COVID-19 in the world.
It was also noted that the issues of scientifically based study of the Caspian Sea-the sea of friendship and consent, its biodiversity should be given great importance. At the same time, given the current difficult situation in the world, it is necessary to continue the relevant work started on the sea coast. From a scientific point of view, this is an urgent task, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted.
Chairman of the Central Bank M. Annadurdyev reported on the state of Affairs in subordinate institutions, as well as on the financing of departments that work to prevent the spread of dangerous infection.
Noting that careful attention should be paid to the systematic improvement of the banking and financial sector, the head of Turkmenistan instructed to take practical steps in this direction, actively introducing modern technologies and scientific achievements. It is necessary to keep under strict control the operational solution of issues of providing the necessary means to the structures that carry out the appropriate work to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Then Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, foreign Minister R. Meredov reported on the work carried out in all structures of the Ministry of foreign Affairs. It was also reported on the ongoing preparations for sending a shipment of goods from Turkmenistan to Russia as a gesture of goodwill, a sign of friendship and good-neighborly relations.
After discussing the presented reports, the Turkmen leader addressed the audience with a message. Noting that the Russian and Turkmen peoples have traditionally had friendly relations built on the principles of mutual respect and support over a long history, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that on the eve of the common holiday – Victory Day – goods produced in our country will be sent to the Russian Federation as a sign of friendship and good-neighborliness.
This is another manifestation of the indissoluble ties between the two States and peoples, the President stressed and signed the corresponding Decree.
Continuing the meeting, the head of state focused on issues of public health protection and ensuring the safety of citizens ' lives, which is the main goal of our country's policy. Every effort is being made at the state level to do this. In accordance with the "Health" Program, the healthcare system is being modernized and comprehensive measures for the prevention, detection and treatment of infectious diseases are being improved.
Turkmenistan constantly exchanges experience in this issue with other countries, maintains close contacts with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, including the world health organization, and takes an active part in all international actions related to human health protection, the head of state said.
Summing up the results of today's meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed that the Government of the country from the first days of the appearance of reports about COVID-19 in the world has taken a responsible approach to countering this dangerous disease and has taken all-round balanced steps.
The activities of ministries and agencies, and especially the health system, were timely directed to combat this new threat. Given its global nature and negative impact on all countries of the world, we have created an Emergency Commission in Turkmenistan to combat the spread of diseases, the Turkmen leader said.
To date, 28 meetings of this Commission have been held, during which the most important decisions were made. Systemic measures were immediately implemented against the emergence and spread of acute pneumonia in our country, and three-level preventive protection was created for this purpose.
First, air traffic with other countries, the departure of our citizens abroad and the entry of foreign citizens into the country have been temporarily suspended.
Secondly, for the organization of cargo delivery and transit at the state border of Turkmenistan, 9 checkpoints have been created, namely, in the International seaport of Turkmenbashi, in Garabogaz, Serhetyaka, Farab, Imamnazar, Serhetabat, Sarahs, Artyk, Akyayla.
Third, as far as railway communication is concerned, checkpoints have been set up in velayats and etraps, and preventive measures have been strengthened in these places.
Two-stage monitoring has been established in the field of medical control over the health of the population, head of state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continued. At the first stage, samples are taken from citizens arriving from abroad for laboratory research. Then they are placed in quarantine zones formed in the cities of Garabogaz, Turkmenbashi and Turkmenabat. At the second stage, citizens discharged from clinics are under the supervision of a family doctor for 14 days.
As part of the strengthening of measures to prevent the spread of particularly dangerous diseases, health institutions are fully provided with the necessary medical equipment, personal protective equipment, test systems and decontamination facilities.
At all state border checkpoints, groups consisting of border, migration, medical, agricultural and other specialists are on 24-hour duty. Comprehensive disinfection and decontamination measures are carried out at a high level in all institutions.
We should also strengthen this work in the Caspian Sea, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.
In addition, strict quality and safety control of food products imported from other countries has been introduced. The protection of reservoirs and watercourses in Ashgabat and velayats, as well as hydraulic structures, has been strengthened. Water is taken from reservoirs and subjected to laboratory testing.
Large-scale work on disinfection and decontamination has been launched in all organizations and institutions, in educational institutions, in public places, in retail outlets and markets, in all vehicles, at the border and in localities, the head of state further noted.
Awareness-raising activities are being conducted among the population, in educational institutions, in military units and at enterprises. People are recommended to carefully observe the rules of sanitary behavior and personal hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. The necessary information on this issue is also published in the mass media.
Thanks to the timely implementation of all these comprehensive preventive measures, we managed to prevent the penetration and spread of a dangerous disease in our country, the President of Turkmenistan said and stressed that in connection with the rapid spread of coronavirus infection in the world, we must continue the work we have started to improve the effectiveness of fighting all kinds of infections.
Head of state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov named the main directions for conducting organized activities in this context:
- regularly replenish stocks of medicines, consumables, medical equipment and decontaminating agents for the prevention of acute pneumonia, its diagnosis and treatment;
- continue training sessions with all medical professionals on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of acute viral pneumonia;
- to detect this disease, purchase laboratory test systems and constantly replenish their stocks;
- to conduct medical examinations of citizens at all checkpoints of the State border, create quarantine zones with all necessary conditions that meet international standards;
- in connection with scientific forecasts and the expectation of the second wave of coronavirus infection, create an insurance stock of medicines and medical equipment; - on the basis of various industrial sectors of the country to establish the production of additional medical equipment, to attract the necessary
investments;
- ensure constant monitoring of the epidemiological situation in the country;
- taking into account the approaching summer season, the Emergency Commission for the fight against the spread of diseases will promptly consider proposals for organizing summer recreation and tourism in the Caspian Sea, “Avaza” and other regions of our country this year.
In light of the above, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continued, the Mejlis of Turkmenistan should consider the need to make changes to the country's legislation in one case or another.
Then the head of state, addressing the hyakims of the velayats participating in the meeting, gave specific instructions on the proper preparation for the summer holiday season of the sanatoriums located on their territory.
At the end of the visiting session of the Cabinet of Ministers, the head of state wished all participants good health, family well-being and great success in their work.
After completing a working trip to the Balkan velayat, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took off from the international airport in Turkmenbashi for the capital.
