A specialized training session for specialists from Turkmenistan’s health and border services was held in Ashgabat, jointly organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The main objective of the training was to enhance the preparedness of specialists to protect public health at the country’s road and air border crossing points and to respond promptly to threats to public health.

During the training, representatives of the IOM Regional Office in Vienna and the WHO presented specialists from the relevant Turkmen services with modern approaches to digitally monitoring migration flows, as well as the early detection of dangerous infectious diseases at border crossing points.

As part of the practical training, standard operating procedures were also developed for use at border crossing points in the event of emergencies and natural disasters. The new procedures define the sequence of actions to be taken by the relevant medical services in such situations.

These include conducting an initial medical examination, organizing quarantine measures when necessary, exchanging information between relevant institutions, as well as providing emergency medical and psychological assistance.

The training also paid particular attention to coordinating epidemiological surveillance carried out at the borders with Turkmenistan’s national healthcare system.

These activities are being implemented within the framework of an IOM programme aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness in Central Asia and Afghanistan.