‘Turkmenistan reports no COVID-19 case in WHO region’

By Erdogan Cagatay Zontur

ANKARA (AA) - Turkmenistan remains the only country in the European region of the World Health Organization where no cases of disease springing from COVID-19 have been registered, its regional senior emergency officer said Wednesday.

Turkmenistan’s Embassy to Turkey said a briefing on the results of the visit of the WHO Regional Office for Europe mission to Turkmenistan led by WHO’s Catherine Smallwood shared the outcomes of the 10-day mission to the country.

During the visit, the experts visited various medical institutions, points of entry, and laboratories in the regions and in the capital and met with medical personnel and got acquainted with activities in the area of epidemiological surveillance, the statement said.

“She stated that Turkmenistan remains the only country in the European region of WHO where no cases of diseases evolved from the COVID-19 were registered. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to strengthen the preventive measures adopted in Turkmenistan, she added.

“Thus, the WHO experts shared strategic recommendations on the elevation of the level of preparedness and response measures in cases of COVID-19,” the statement said.

The statement went on to say that Nurmuhammet Amannepesov, Turkmenistan’s healthcare and medical industry minister, spoke on actions to further strengthen preventive measures against acute dangerous diseases in the country.

Paulina Karwowska, head of the WHO office in Turkmenistan, also expressed gratitude to the Turkmen side for assistance in organizing the mission’s visit and highlighted its efforts to combat the global pandemic, according to the statement.

Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov also expressed gratitude to the WHO expert mission’s constructive work, recommendations, and proposals against the virus, the statement said.

“The key and leading role of WHO in coordinating the actions of the international community in combatting COVID-19 was underlined,” it added.

Meredov also called for cooperation in scientific diplomacy to share information on the emergence of acute dangerous viruses as well as develop methods to cure and prevent diseases, including the development of vaccines, said the statement.

“The adherence of Turkmenistan to these goals is reflected in the fact that the country has joined the C-TAP Platform and other WHO mechanisms,” it added.