The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, with technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has approved an updated version of the National Action Plan on the Minimum Initial Servise Package (MISP) for the provision of reproductive health services in emergency situations.

The MISP is a globally recognised set of priority health services that should be deployed as a matter of priority in the event of any emergency. The framework aims to prevent mortality and morbidity among women and newborns, and to protect their rights and health in crisis situations.

The previous version of the document was adopted by the Turkmen authorities in 2014. The new version has been drawn up on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of response readiness, which was carried out by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan in collaboration with UNFPA during expert consultations.

The main objectives of the updated plan include ensuring the continuity and accessibility of high-quality maternity and family planning services during emergencies, preventing sexual violence and providing support to survivors, and reducing the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The document pays particular attention to the allocation of roles and responsibilities amongst key national departments, the strengthening of inter-departmental coordination, funding issues, and the sustainable integration of these measures into national health systems.

According to Mayagozel Kuliyeva, head of the UNFPA’s reproductive health programme, further information on the plan can be obtained by contacting the Fund’s office.