President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan. WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on priority areas and development prospects of partnership.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who headed the national health sector for many years, expressed special gratitude to the WHO high-ranking officials for providing support in various spheres.
Ms. Margaret Chan highly evaluated the steps taken by Turkmenistan to eradicate smoking, in particular. Thanks to the state policy the tobacco control campaign is being implemented throughout the country on an unprecedented level.
The cabinet ministers and the heads of Mejlis, law and law enforcement agencies, public organisations and Turkmen and foreign media representatives joined the meeting.
Addressing those present, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the concern for the welfare of citizens and protection of their health is one of the state policy priorities in Turkmenistan, and that our country actively cooperates with the World Health Organization in this context.
Addressing the Turkmen leader and the ceremony participants, Ms. Margaret Chan congratulated them on behalf of the World Health Organization and its Regional Office for Europe on the outstanding progress made by Turkmenistan in tobacco control.
Emphasizing the contribution and outstanding services of President of Turkmenistan, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Doctor of Medicine Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who had led the national health sector for many years, in this field, the distinguished guest focused on effective measures on flour enrichment, salt iodization, implementation of the large-scale projects in immunization, etc. taken in the country.
The guest mentioned a ban on smoking in public places in 2000 and the adoption of the Law of Turkmenistan on Protection of the Health of Citizens from Exposure to Tobacco Smoking and the Consequences of Tobacco Use in 2013 among the major achievements of Turkmenistan. Another essential contributing factor was the price increase on tobacco products in Turkmenistan, where tobacco products are the most expensive in Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. WHO Director-General noted that the fight against tobacco use, as practice shows, allowed halving the risk of hospitalisation with cardiovascular, respiratory diseases, premature birth and asthma exacerbations.
Noting that the World Health Organization awards have been presented to statesmen, scientists and specialists for the significant achievements in the implementation of tobacco control policies since 1988, Ms. Margaret Chan informed of the decision of the World Health Organization to present a special award to the President of Turkmenistan for his enormous contribution to the fight against tobacco. WHO Director-General expressed belief that the current progress would lay the groundwork for fulfilling the designated tasks as well as for future achievements – the Government of Turkmenistan jointly with the WHO is working towards becoming tobacco-free by the year 2025.
To a standing ovation of those present, a special commemorative medal and a WHO special recognition certificate were awarded to the President of Turkmenistan.
In his turn, the Turkmen leader expressed sincere gratitude to the high-ranking officials and all employees of the World Health Organization for consistent humanistic activities, significantly contributing to the protection of health of people. The Turkmen leader said that the presentation of the WHO awards in recognition of the country’s achievements in the global fight against tobacco obliged Turkmenistan to continue to take measures in this context on even greater scope.
According to the results of the survey conducted by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Turkmenistan is a country with the lowest smoking prevalence rate, which is 8 per cent. The effectiveness of consistent measures taken in the country to promote healthy lifestyle habits has also become one of the factors in achieving the high results. The average life expectancy in the country has exceeded 72 years.
A meeting with the participation of WHO Director-General Margaret Chan was held at the State Medical University. It was attended by health professionals and lecturers and students of the State Medical University and the Institute of International Relations of MFA of Turkmenistan. Ms. Margaret Chen told the forum participants about the work conducted by the WHO jointly with Turkmenistan. The guests delivered a lecture on Diplomacy in Global Health, which aroused great interest among the participants.
During the visit to Turkmenistan World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan and WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab were the guests of honour to the meetings held at the health centre in Babarap village in Geoktepe Etrap and Ene Myahri Centre in Geoktepe in Ahal Velayat.
The guests held meetings at the Government of Turkmenistan and Ministry of Health and Medical Industry to discuss key aspects of cooperation.
During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on priority areas and development prospects of partnership.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who headed the national health sector for many years, expressed special gratitude to the WHO high-ranking officials for providing support in various spheres.
Ms. Margaret Chan highly evaluated the steps taken by Turkmenistan to eradicate smoking, in particular. Thanks to the state policy the tobacco control campaign is being implemented throughout the country on an unprecedented level.
The cabinet ministers and the heads of Mejlis, law and law enforcement agencies, public organisations and Turkmen and foreign media representatives joined the meeting.
Addressing those present, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the concern for the welfare of citizens and protection of their health is one of the state policy priorities in Turkmenistan, and that our country actively cooperates with the World Health Organization in this context.
Addressing the Turkmen leader and the ceremony participants, Ms. Margaret Chan congratulated them on behalf of the World Health Organization and its Regional Office for Europe on the outstanding progress made by Turkmenistan in tobacco control.
Emphasizing the contribution and outstanding services of President of Turkmenistan, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Doctor of Medicine Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who had led the national health sector for many years, in this field, the distinguished guest focused on effective measures on flour enrichment, salt iodization, implementation of the large-scale projects in immunization, etc. taken in the country.
The guest mentioned a ban on smoking in public places in 2000 and the adoption of the Law of Turkmenistan on Protection of the Health of Citizens from Exposure to Tobacco Smoking and the Consequences of Tobacco Use in 2013 among the major achievements of Turkmenistan. Another essential contributing factor was the price increase on tobacco products in Turkmenistan, where tobacco products are the most expensive in Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. WHO Director-General noted that the fight against tobacco use, as practice shows, allowed halving the risk of hospitalisation with cardiovascular, respiratory diseases, premature birth and asthma exacerbations.
Noting that the World Health Organization awards have been presented to statesmen, scientists and specialists for the significant achievements in the implementation of tobacco control policies since 1988, Ms. Margaret Chan informed of the decision of the World Health Organization to present a special award to the President of Turkmenistan for his enormous contribution to the fight against tobacco. WHO Director-General expressed belief that the current progress would lay the groundwork for fulfilling the designated tasks as well as for future achievements – the Government of Turkmenistan jointly with the WHO is working towards becoming tobacco-free by the year 2025.
To a standing ovation of those present, a special commemorative medal and a WHO special recognition certificate were awarded to the President of Turkmenistan.
In his turn, the Turkmen leader expressed sincere gratitude to the high-ranking officials and all employees of the World Health Organization for consistent humanistic activities, significantly contributing to the protection of health of people. The Turkmen leader said that the presentation of the WHO awards in recognition of the country’s achievements in the global fight against tobacco obliged Turkmenistan to continue to take measures in this context on even greater scope.
According to the results of the survey conducted by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Turkmenistan is a country with the lowest smoking prevalence rate, which is 8 per cent. The effectiveness of consistent measures taken in the country to promote healthy lifestyle habits has also become one of the factors in achieving the high results. The average life expectancy in the country has exceeded 72 years.
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A meeting with the participation of WHO Director-General Margaret Chan was held at the State Medical University. It was attended by health professionals and lecturers and students of the State Medical University and the Institute of International Relations of MFA of Turkmenistan. Ms. Margaret Chen told the forum participants about the work conducted by the WHO jointly with Turkmenistan. The guests delivered a lecture on Diplomacy in Global Health, which aroused great interest among the participants.
During the visit to Turkmenistan World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan and WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab were the guests of honour to the meetings held at the health centre in Babarap village in Geoktepe Etrap and Ene Myahri Centre in Geoktepe in Ahal Velayat.
The guests held meetings at the Government of Turkmenistan and Ministry of Health and Medical Industry to discuss key aspects of cooperation.