The issues of maintaining sanitary well-being, implementing measures to monitor the spread and prevention of infectious diseases, as well as further improving medical services for the population were the subject of a working meeting held today by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Reporting on the work carried out in these areas, the Chairman of the Emergency Commission to combat the spread of diseases, Minister of health and medical industry Nurmuhammet Amannepesov reported to the head of state that an effective system of epidemiological surveillance is currently in place. As noted, from the very beginning of the recorded coronavirus pandemic, Turkmenistan has begun to implement the necessary measures aimed at countering this threat.
Comprehensive work has done to prevent the import of infectious diseases into our country. A management center was establish in the structure of the Ministry of health and medical industry, and a local (local) management center was established in the city of Turkmenabat.
The work of the emergency Commission to combat the spread of diseases has established on a systematic basis. 71 Meetings of the Commission were held, during which priority measures were identified, including those aimed at preventing the importation and spread of a dangerous viral disease on the territory of our country, as well as the fight against infectious diseases.
In this regard, important resolutions and decisions have adopted; relevant changes have made to national legislation, as well as, in accordance with international practice, temporary Statutes and Regulations.
Among the implemented effective measures is the creation of a three-ring preventive protection system. Checkpoints were set up between the etraps in the border areas, the movement and health status of the population were monitor, and all checkpoints were equipped with the necessary special equipment and helicopters for rapid medical care.
Following the instructions of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, 80-seat quarantine control facilities were built at the border checkpoints "Farab", "Sarahs" and "Garabogaz". Disinfection facilities with disinfection and fumigation facilities for handling vehicles have constructed at nine Checkpoints on the state border (in the Balkan velayat – Garabogaz, Serkhetyaka, Turkmenbashi and Etrek; in the Akhal region – Kaka, Sarahs; in the Mary region – Serhetabat; in the Lebap region – Imamnazar and Farab).
Helicopters are on duty to provide medical assistance to patients in emergencies and deliver samples to the laboratory. In the future, it is plan to purchase medical helicopters in the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation.
Field hospitals have been set up in the cities of Turkmenabat, Turkmenbashi and Garabogaz to monitor the health status of citizens who have arrived from foreign countries. As the Minister noted, from the first days of the appearance of the infectious disease, Turkmen students and our citizens who are in countries with a complex epidemiological situation were buy home by special flights. This work is currently ongoing.
In order to prevent the disease from being imported into our country and spreading, hospitals were put on high alert. Special seminars have organized for medical professionals.
Currently, there are 19 laboratories in the capital and provinces of the country that meet international standards for the detection of infectious diseases by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). They are equipped with diagnostic tools manufactured in the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Germany and Turkey.
To provide the population with pharmaceutical and medical supplies, medicines were purchase for 10 million US dollars, which were used to prevent viral infection.
In addition, the country received 240 thousand doses of seasonal flu vaccines, vaccinated citizens at risk, and these works continue. Production of masks, protective and disinfecting agents, as well as protective suits for doctors and medical personnel has been established.
Today, when a new outbreak of coronavirus infection is observed in countries around the world, regular awareness-raising activities regarding strict compliance with personal hygiene rules, wearing masks and maintaining distance are of particular relevance.
So, the large-scale explanatory work carried out in our country helps to improve the skills of the population in the fight against diseases. Doctors Of health homes conducted medical examinations of secondary and vocational school students, University students, employees of enterprises, institutions and other citizens.
During the difficult epidemiological situation associated with the spread of COVID-19 in the world, medicines and medical supplies were sent to Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Russian Federation as humanitarian aid.
In turn, the Republic of Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Turkey, Japan, and the People’s Republic of China provided our country with medical supplies and equipment that were used to prevent diseases.
In accordance with the decree, Of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov dated May 22, 2020, a plan was approved to ensure readiness to counteract an acute infectious disease and take rapid response measures. In accordance with this document, together with the UN structural divisions in our country and other authoritative international organizations, a set of preventive measures has been defined and work is being carried out to implement them.
At the initiative of Turkmenistan, with the assistance of the Ministry of foreign Affairs, a number of online meetings were held with the Director General of the world health organization Tedros Ghebreyesus, during which they exchanged views on positive experience in preventing the spread of infectious diseases in our country, the Minister said.
In addition, conferences, meetings and briefings with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, representatives of foreign health institutions and reputable international organizations were held online in order to study the world's experience. Who managers and specialists carry out systematic monitoring of the situation aimed at preventing the spread of infectious diseases in the country.
N. Amannepesov assured the head of state that Turkmen doctors will make every effort to solve the problems of preventing the importation of infection into our country and its spread. The Minister also asked to bless the opening of the “Bagabat” sanatorium and the Gokdepe etrap infectious diseases hospital, which were built on the territory of the Akhal velayat.
Summing up the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed that the health promotion of Turkmen citizens is an important component of the state's socially-oriented policy and includes a whole range of tasks.
All of them are solved on a systematic basis, including work on the development of medical science and education, international cooperation, improvement of medical services, improvement of the environmental environment, and approval of the principles of a healthy lifestyle in society.
The outbreak of a new wave of coronavirus infection in many countries of the world cannot But cause concern, the President of Turkmenistan said, stressing that the Government is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary measures.
Thanks to large-scale and purposeful work, the country has put a reliable barrier to dangerous infectious diseases, and the effective measures taken in the field of their prevention significantly reduce the risk of the disease, the President stated.
Emphasizing the importance of preventive measures, the head of state gave the Minister relevant instructions on monitoring the epidemiological control of infectious diseases, and a detailed study of the situation in this area abroad. It was also instructed to intensify cooperation in this area with the United Nations structural units.
The state directs huge funds to strengthen the material and technical base of the domestic healthcare sector, puts into operation new medical centers equipped with the most modern equipment, creates all conditions for training Turkmen specialists in the world's largest research centers and for exchanging experience.
Using digital technologies, the head of state continued, Turkmen doctors are in constant contact with specialists of the world health organization and their foreign colleagues.
It was noted that medical diplomacy is becoming particularly relevant today, which is designed to promote fruitful international cooperation and exchange of experience in this important area.
Working with who and other UN specialized agencies, our country has accumulated a wealth of experience in the field of medical diplomacy – in promoting practical contacts between doctors, developing effective steps to address issues of human health, scientific and information exchange in the field of prevention and control of dangerous diseases.
Turkmenistan, as a state whose neutral status is recognized by the UN, always stands for the unity of countries, combining their efforts in the fight against the challenges and threats of our time, including those related to COVID-19.
Aware of the danger of a new global threat, we have launched a number of international initiatives aimed at combining joint efforts in the preparation of consolidated, mutually agreed solutions in the fight against coronavirus infection and continue to work in this direction, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed.
Among the preventive measures taken in connection with the spread of infectious diseases in the world is the creation of a stock of necessary medicines and personal protective equipment, the head of state said.
In this regard, the President noted the importance of the "plan for the purchase of vaccines and equipment for immunization for 2021-2025", implemented within the framework of the "Memorandum of understanding between the government of Turkmenistan and UNICEF on the provision of procurement services" signed on August 28, 2015.
Timely preventive measures, including restrictions on entry into the territory of the state, movement within the country, a mask regime, temporary closure of public catering establishments and services, treatment of large areas with disinfection solutions by air, the creation of special checkpoints, as well as other necessary measures, had a positive effect.
As the head of state noted, since the beginning of the pandemic, we have suggested, which has already been confirmed in world scientific circles, that viruses are spread not only by airborne droplets, but also by air-dust, which significantly increases the distance of infection.
In this context, the Turkmen leader stated that the successful solution of all tasks, first of all, depends on the formation of appropriate public opinion. Therefore, among the practical steps aimed at implementing a modern strategy for improving the health of the people, propaganda and explanatory work are becoming paramount.
The head of state, noting the importance of wearing medical masks, strict observance of social distance, hand disinfection, hygiene rules, body temperature control and the use of harmala for sanitary and preventive purposes, gave specific instructions to the head of the health sector to systematically organize speeches in the media and conduct explanatory, propaganda and educational events in order to strictly observe the rules of hygiene and cleanliness standards.
Only constant monitoring of the situation, joint work of health care institutions, all structures involved in preventive measures and the population will help to maintain a stable situation and prevent the emergence of a dangerous infection in our country, the Turkmen leader stressed.
In this context, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov ordered to continue implementing a set of preventive measures to further protect our territory from the importation and spread of infectious diseases, and to hold regular meetings of the emergency Commission to combat the spread of diseases.
At the same time, it is necessary to study the situation in the world related to infectious diseases, maintain cooperation with international organizations in this direction, systematically provide the country with pharmaceutical and medical products, and replenish their reserves, the Turkmen leader stressed.
The head of state gave specific instructions on how to conduct organizational work on the purchase of new high-quality vaccines against coronavirus infection, currently produced in various States. The President ordered to continue production of protective masks, hygiene and disinfection products, and to replenish them by creating a reserve.
Among the important measures were identified measures for medical examinations aimed at improving people's immunity, conducting preventive vaccination of the population against seasonal colds, and purchasing these funds in the required amount.
The head of Turkmenistan focused on the issue related to the development of the country's health system, in particular, the creation of specialized centers. Among such medical institutions is a new hospital with a scientific and clinical center of physiology, designed to become a leading medical and preventive institution that studies issues in the arid zone of the country.
This center will carry out work on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases that are common in Turkmenistan and the region, as well as clinical, educational, scientific and laboratory studies on the adverse impact of the Aral Sea environment on human health.
They also stressed the need to use advanced technologies of modern medicine in the new Rehabilitation center to improve people's health. The center, the Foundation of which is being laid, will work on the rehabilitation of patients with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, digestive, urinary systems, musculoskeletal system and other health problems, as well as post-operative patients and patients with complications after infections.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed the Minister to study in detail the issues related to the construction of health care facilities, as well as to control the construction of medical institutions in the Akhal, Balkan and Dashoguz velayats, to conduct organizational work on the construction of a new complex of buildings In the capital of the educational and scientific center for maternal and child health, the Myrat Garryev State medical University.
Noting the importance of further transformations and improvement of the regulatory framework of the healthcare sector and the medical industry, the head of Turkmenistan gave specific instructions on the preparation of new national programs, the State news Agency of the country reports.
