Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov on Thursday held a meeting with the experts of the consultative-technical mission of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, who are on a working visit in Turkmenistan, Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a press release.
During the meeting, Rashid Meredov noted the constructiveness and effectiveness of the long-term cooperation of Turkmenistan with the World Health Organization and stressed that the Turkmen side strictly adherers to WHO recommendations. At the same time, the Foreign Minister reiterated the readiness of Turkmenistan to continue multilateral cooperation at the international and regional levels on the global fight against the pandemic.
In turn, Head of WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan Paulina Karwowska expressed gratitude to the Turkmen Government on behalf of the WHO leadership for well-coordinated organization of the WHO/Europe mission’s visit to Turkmenistan and overall support.
The meeting participants noted the importance of Turkmenistan’s efforts aimed at the global fight against COVID-19, including the proposal on creation of the International Council of Medical Scientists and accession of Turkmenistan to the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP). The senior Emergency Officer at WHO/Europe, head of the mission Catherine Smallwood informed about the features of the Platform.
The Head of the Foreign Ministry also noted that the National Preparedness and Response Plan for Acute Infectious Disease is actively implemented in Turkmenistan.
The Minister added that Turkmenistan, together with UN agencies, is currently developing the Third National Plan, covering the humanitarian component of the country’s measures to combat the coronavirus infection.
The officials emphasized that Turkmenistan has sufficient potential and resources for the operational analysis of all suspicious cases, including notification of them for timely response measures.
“Given the research that confirms the possibility of a new type of coronavirus spreading through small aerosol droplets that can be stored in the air for long periods of time, the level of risk that requires special protection, including information on how to reduce it, is being publicized," the statement says.
WHO/Europe expert team also held a meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, where the parties discussed the measures, which are being taken on a national level as part of the preparedness and response to an acute infectious disease.
The WHO/Europe mission arrived in Turkmenistan on July 6 with the aim of acquaintance and review of the measures and actions being taken in the country within the framework of the preparedness and response to COVID-19.
