The Country Office of the World Health Organization in Turkmenistan has held online working session on development of Action Plan for protection of population of abnormal hot weather in Turkmenistan.

The work on the plan is carried out under Turkmenistan’s national strategy for climate change as well as National Action Plan for adaptation of the health of Turkmenistan’s population to climate change and its negative impact for 2020 – 2025. The documents is referred to the principles set out in the State Health Program. Multi-sectoral working group of the Ministry of Health Protection and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan is involved in development of the Plan with support of WHO European Regional Bureau and WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan.

Technical specialist on climate change and health of WHO European Regional Bureau Vladimir Kendrovsky has discussed further measures on development of National Plan with his colleagues from Turkmenistan.

Special attention is paid in the Action Plan for protection of population from abnormal hot weather in Turkmenistan to strengthening of healthcare system, creation of the warning system of abnormally hot weather for provision of timely and efficient response as well as for management of response measures and awareness on health protection from heat and its risks. In this regard, development of cooperation with the UN agencies, WHO and other international organizations for organization of joint events aimed at strengthening of prevention and response system have been discussed at the meeting.

“Joint activities on improvement of quality of medical services in adaptation and acclimatization to hot weather in the context of climate change and other global trends will play an important role in implementation of future Plan”, - Dr. Vladimir Kendrovsky said.

It is expected that the first draft of the plan will be ready by the end of this year. The World Health Organization will continue providing support to the Ministry of Health Protection and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan on integrated prevention and actions aimed at the readiness of healthcare systems to negative impacts of hot weather.

Ayjahan Ataballiyeva