The State Health Program — Protecting Maternal and Child Health

Within the framework of the "Saglyk" (Health) State Program, a number of laws, comprehensive strategies, and programs aimed at protecting the health of mothers and children are being adopted and successfully implemented. These include:

• The Law of Turkmenistan "On the Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding";
• The National Strategy for 2021–2025 titled "Healthy Mother – Healthy Child – Healthy Future";
• The National Strategy of Turkmenistan for Early Childhood Development for 2020–2025;
• The "Safe Motherhood" Program;
• The "Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses" Program;
• The "Feeding of Infants and Young Children during Breastfeeding" Program;
• The "Early Childhood Development" Program.

In collaboration with international organizations — particularly the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF — extensive work is being carried out to introduce micronutrient-friendly technologies for children and mothers, prevent micronutrient deficiencies, and reduce childhood disease rates.

Efforts to improve practices related to the nutrition of breastfed children and prevent micronutrient deficiencies are of special significance.

National surveys conducted jointly with UN representatives, such as the "Assessment of Micronutrients for Women and Children in Turkmenistan," are considered major steps in protecting maternal and child health.

These initiatives are being successfully implemented under the leadership of the esteemed President. A vivid example is the Scientific-Clinical Center for Maternal and Child Health, opened in 2015 to provide high-quality medical services to mothers and children. The center is equipped with diagnostic and treatment equipment across 28 specialized areas and carries out coordinated actions to improve maternal and child health.

In line with the approach "Healthy Generation – Happy Future," one of the main objectives is to reduce childhood anemia and eliminate its severe forms at the root.

Early childhood development is a top priority in modern times. In cooperation with WHO and UNICEF, relevant steps are regularly taken to achieve emerging goals.

Turkmenistan, in collaboration with educational institutions from other countries, including Germany and Russia, is implementing strategies for early childhood development. By training national and regional educators and applying high-quality practices, consistent success is being achieved in this area.

Since 2019, Turkmen doctors specializing in pediatric orthopedics have been cooperating with German experts in Munich, successfully introducing new treatment methods and complex surgical procedures.

Since the center’s opening, significant contributions have been made by Professor Andreas Schulze and professional Larisa Weimas from the Grosshadern University Hospital in Germany to establish the neonatal intensive care unit. New technologies are being used to care for premature and low- or high-birth-weight infants, overcoming recurring challenges.

As part of international cooperation, children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are being treated jointly with Professor Udo Kontny, head of the pediatric oncology and stem cell transplantation section at Aachen University Hospital (Germany). Using the "ALL BFM-95" treatment protocol, they are successfully working to extend remission periods and prevent relapse.

Dr. Altymuhammet Annayev, Director of the Scientific-Clinical Center for Maternal and Child Health, leads this work based on modern medical principles. Additionally, under the hospital named after Arkadag Lukman, high-quality cardiothoracic surgery, traumatology, orthopedics, and neurosurgical procedures are performed for young children.

The hospital also works to improve the health and lifespan of children with kidney failure using “Dialog+” hemodialysis machines from B. Braun company.

Dr. Altymuhammet Annayev

Director of the Scientific-Clinical Center for Maternal and Child Health