WHO/Europe expert team reaches Turkmenistan to support the country get ready for COVID-19

During the 10-day deployment, the team aims to work together with high-level officials and public health experts in areas such as surveillance, laboratory services, patient management, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement, etc. The experts plan to visit healthcare facilities, public health centers, laboratories, emergency centers and other facilities at the national, regional, and city levels.

WHO mission is part of the tailored support WHO European Office has been providing to its member states on a regular basis. During the past months, WHO sent around 70 missions to countries in the European Region to assist with responses to COVID-19 outbreaks.

“This mission reflects the commitment of the WHO European Office to a strong partnership with the Central Asian countries. Together with the Turkmen government, we have overcome complex travel challenges and we are very glad we managed to reach the country today,” says Dr Catherine Smallwood, WHO/Europe’s Senior Emergency Officer and mission lead. “We look forward to work hand-in-hand with national and local authorities to find the best solutions to protect the health of Turkmen people from COVID-19.”

WHO expresses its appreciation to the Turkmen authorities for facilitating the mission and working in partnership to address the challenge of COVID-19.