Turkmenistan and UNDP Forge Groundbreaking Partnership to Bolster Healthcare
Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: In a significant stride towards fortifying Turkmenistan’s healthcare infrastructure, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan (MoHMI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have inked a landmark agreement for the implementation of the pioneering project titled “Procurement of health products for the control of infectious diseases in 2024-2025.” This transformative initiative, spanning multiple years and boasting a budget exceeding $34 million, entirely funded by the Government of Turkmenistan, underscores a resolute commitment to advancing the nation’s healthcare sector.
At the core of the project’s objectives is the steadfast commitment to ensuring universal access to top-tier healthcare services for tuberculosis (TB) and other infectious diseases across Turkmenistan. Key components of the initiative include:
- Ensuring seamless access to high-quality medications and state-of-the-art equipment for the treatment of TB, HIV, reproductive health, skin diseases, safe blood transfusion, and viral hepatitis C services.
- Augmenting the capacity of healthcare professionals to effectively combat infectious diseases.
- Facilitating a seamless transition for the TB project previously funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and absorbing activities formerly supported by the Global Fund. This transition aims to uphold program quality, continuity, and long-term sustainability within Turkmenistan, transitioning it to domestic funding by the culmination of 2027.
The current initiative builds upon the successes of preceding years and is poised to sustain the provision of essential tests and medicines for communicable diseases. Furthermore, the project will introduce cutting-edge technologies, enhance infection control measures, furnish technical assistance, and extend maintenance support.
Mr. Tomica Paovic, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Turkmenistan, emphasized the fundamental significance of investing in health to attain the Sustainable Development Goals. He reiterated UNDP’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Government of Turkmenistan and development partners to ensure universal access to healthcare and well-being for all. Through a multi-faceted approach that prioritizes human rights and gender equality, UNDP endeavors to bolster a diverse array of medical services crucial for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Turkmenistan.
The collaboration between UNDP and the MoHMI in the realm of public health spans several years, with a notable milestone in 2010 when the UNDP country office was designated as the Principal Recipient of the TB grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. Specifically tailored for the control of infectious diseases, the partnership between UNDP and MoHMI has flourished since 2016, culminating in the implementation of four projects with a combined funding totaling $35 million.
