Ashgabat, March 6, 2025 – The Europe Today: To enhance Turkmenistan’s national capacity for pandemic preparedness, planning, and response, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office organized a technical advisory mission in Ashgabat from March 4 to 5.
This initiative was conducted under the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework for Turkmenistan, bringing together WHO experts and national specialists for an intersectoral workshop aimed at developing a National Pandemic Preparedness and Resilience Plan.
The workshop was attended by experts from the WHO Regional Office for Europe, including Claire Blackmore and Michala Hegermann-Lindenkron, as well as pandemic planning and preparedness specialists from WHO headquarters, Sarah Lee Hess, and Ayjeren Myratdurdyeva from WHO Turkmenistan.
Key Focus Areas of Pandemic Preparedness
The workshop focused on five key areas crucial for health emergency preparedness, response, and resilience, including:
- Emergency coordination
- Joint surveillance
- Population protection
- Clinical care
- Access to pandemic prevention and control tools
Through collaborative discussions, participants defined the structure of the national pandemic plan, clarified roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, and established a timeline for finalizing and endorsing the plan.
Commitment to Public Health Security
Respiratory virus pandemics remain a significant threat to global public health, society, and the economy due to their unpredictability and widespread impact.
This joint partnership underscores Turkmenistan’s commitment to strengthening its public health system and ensuring a coordinated response to future emergencies, as highlighted in a WHO press release.
