Turkmenistan and WHO Collaborate on New National Strategic Tuberculosis Control Plan
On March 14, 2025, Turkmenistan progressed in TB control efforts with the assistance of a WHO/Europe technical team, leading to a new National Strategic Plan for 2026-2030 based on a review of the current National TB Control Programme. The initiative aims to align with the global goal of ending the TB epidemic by 2030, strengthening collaboration between Turkmenistan and WHO.
On March 14, 2025, Turkmenistan undertook significant measures to enhance its tuberculosis (TB) control efforts, a persistent global public health challenge. A technical advisory team from WHO/Europe visited Ashgabat from February 24 to 28, 2025, to present findings from their review of the National TB Control Programme (NTP) for 2021–2025, leading to the formation of a new National Strategic Plan (NSP) for 2026–2030. This review was conducted by experts from WHO/Europe in 2024, based on a request from the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.
In discussing the NTP review, Dr. Askar Yedilbayev, WHO/Europe Regional Advisor for TB/Drug Resistant-TB, noted that it provided insights necessary to evaluate advancements toward national objectives that align with regional TB reduction targets. He stated, “The results of the review will form the basis for the development of the National Strategic Plan of Turkmenistan on TB Control for 2026–2030, which will define key directions and new targets for 2030.”
During a presentation of the NTP review findings, the WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan underscored the goals and priority areas for the upcoming NSP. Dr. Yedilbayev reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to the TB-Free Central Asia initiative, a program led by Dr. Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. Representatives from various health organizations, including the Ministry of Health, State Medical University, and National Red Crescent Society, participated in the discussions.
A key aspect of the visit involved a meeting with Dr. Myrat Mammedov, the Minister of Health of Turkmenistan. The conversation, facilitated by WHO representatives, aimed to identify opportunities for Turkmenistan to disseminate its successful TB control strategies throughout the WHO European Region, thereby assisting in the global effort to eradicate the TB epidemic by 2030.
Additionally, the mission team assessed the progress of the current NTP and delineated essential strategic directions and objectives for the forthcoming NSP. They also conducted a preliminary evaluation of financial and technical support requirements, which will inform the drafting of an action plan for the next NTP. The primary objective of the WHO/Europe mission is to bolster Turkmenistan’s capabilities in combating TB, underlining the collaborative efforts of WHO and the Turkmen government to alleviate the TB burden within the region.
In summary, Turkmenistan is committed to enhancing its tuberculosis control measures through the development of a new National Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, building upon past reviews and strategies. The WHO/Europe team’s visit provided crucial insights into achieving national and regional TB targets. Continued collaboration between Turkmenistan and WHO aims to ensure effective implementation of TB control efforts, contributing to the vital global initiative of eradicating this public health threat by 2030.
Original Source: www.who.int
