The International Health Forum "Consolidation of Achievements – the Foundation for Our Healthy Future" organized by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) took place in Ashgabat. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov attended the international conference opening ceremony.
The forum was held in the framework of the events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Saglyk State Programme and Day of Health and Medical Industry Workers. It brought together high-ranking officials from Turkmenistan, representatives and experts of the World Health Organization and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, delegates from over 30 countries of Europe and other WHO regions, including health ministers, prominent scientists and professionals in the health industry. Many of them received the state awards of Turkmenistan for their profound achievements in developing the healthcare industry and cooperation between Turkmenistan and other countries and international organisations in this sphere.
The opening ceremony of the International Health Forum held at the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry was attended by the high-ranking officials and the representatives of public organisations, Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, health institutions and the media of Turkmenistan. Heads of diplomatic missions accredited in our country were invited to the opening ceremony.
Cordially greeting the participants in the International Conference “Consolidation of Achievements – the Foundation for Our Healthy Future" and the distinguished guests, the President of Turkmenistan announced the forum open.
It was noted that developing the modern national health policy in compliance with the Millennium Development Goals and the Health 2020 regional strategy, Turkmenistan put forward the initiatives aimed at promoting international cooperation and the fundamental interests of all states and nations and took all necessary measures to implement them. That is vividly illustrated by the International Conference "Consolidation of the Achievements – the Foundation for Our Healthy Future".
Greeting the conference participants, Director-General of WHO Mrs Margaret Chan emphasized the importance of the conference agenda, noting that the international community was standing at the threshold of fundamental changes related to the Millennium Development Goals and the identification of new goals on sustainable development.
Emphasizing the necessity to intensify the efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases, which have become the leading cause of death worldwide, the Director-General of WHO focused on the progress achieved by Turkmenistan in the fight against tobacco. The recent WHO survey confirmed that only 8 per cent of the population in Turkmenistan smoked. This is the lowest rate of smokers at national level globally. The Director-General of WHO congratulated the Turkmen leader on this achievement.
To the applause of those present Director-General of WHO Ms. Margaret Chan presented President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the plate with the inscription "To President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov from the World Health Organization for the outstanding contribution to the liberation of the WHO European Region from tobacco".
Thanking the distinguished guest for the informative presentation and the award that proved Turkmenistan’s contribution to address this urgent problem, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov reminded the audience of the steps taken in recent years to strengthen the public health sector and fight against bad habits such as tobacco products consumption.
It was noted that Turkmenistan acceded to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2011 and developed the National Action Plan on Tobacco Control for 2012- 2016 jointly with the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The Mejlis of Turkmenistan adopted the Law of Turkmenistan on Protecting the Health of Citizens from the Effects of Tobacco Smoke and the Consequences of Tobacco Product Consumption.
Speaking about Turkmenistan's achievements in the implementation of the Saglyk State Programme, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab underlined a significant increase of the expectancy of life, reduction in mortality from infectious and respiratory diseases and maternal mortality and mortality of children under 15. It was emphasized that such diseases as poliomyelitis, malaria and dracontiasis had been eliminated in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has started implementing theuniversal salt iodization programme since 2004.
The Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe noted that the significant achievements in reducing the tobacco product consumption to the lowest rate in Europe made Turkmenistan the leader in this field. The guest said that she was looking forward to the start of the regional tobacco control project, which would be officially launched at the Ashgabat forum.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented the Order Bitaraplyk to Director-General of the World Health Organization Margaret Chan and Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab. The Turkmen leader noted that the awards symbolized the recognition of their role in enhancing the international prestige of our country as well as promoting cooperation between Turkmenistan and other countries and international organisations in the health sector.
The major aim of the international health forum in Ashgabat was to discuss a wide range of public health issues, promote mutually beneficial exchange of experience and identify the areas for further joint efforts to achieve the goals set.
The forum was held in the framework of the events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Saglyk State Programme and Day of Health and Medical Industry Workers. It brought together high-ranking officials from Turkmenistan, representatives and experts of the World Health Organization and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, delegates from over 30 countries of Europe and other WHO regions, including health ministers, prominent scientists and professionals in the health industry. Many of them received the state awards of Turkmenistan for their profound achievements in developing the healthcare industry and cooperation between Turkmenistan and other countries and international organisations in this sphere.
The opening ceremony of the International Health Forum held at the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry was attended by the high-ranking officials and the representatives of public organisations, Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, health institutions and the media of Turkmenistan. Heads of diplomatic missions accredited in our country were invited to the opening ceremony.
Cordially greeting the participants in the International Conference “Consolidation of Achievements – the Foundation for Our Healthy Future" and the distinguished guests, the President of Turkmenistan announced the forum open.
It was noted that developing the modern national health policy in compliance with the Millennium Development Goals and the Health 2020 regional strategy, Turkmenistan put forward the initiatives aimed at promoting international cooperation and the fundamental interests of all states and nations and took all necessary measures to implement them. That is vividly illustrated by the International Conference "Consolidation of the Achievements – the Foundation for Our Healthy Future".
Greeting the conference participants, Director-General of WHO Mrs Margaret Chan emphasized the importance of the conference agenda, noting that the international community was standing at the threshold of fundamental changes related to the Millennium Development Goals and the identification of new goals on sustainable development.
Emphasizing the necessity to intensify the efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases, which have become the leading cause of death worldwide, the Director-General of WHO focused on the progress achieved by Turkmenistan in the fight against tobacco. The recent WHO survey confirmed that only 8 per cent of the population in Turkmenistan smoked. This is the lowest rate of smokers at national level globally. The Director-General of WHO congratulated the Turkmen leader on this achievement.
To the applause of those present Director-General of WHO Ms. Margaret Chan presented President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the plate with the inscription "To President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov from the World Health Organization for the outstanding contribution to the liberation of the WHO European Region from tobacco".
Thanking the distinguished guest for the informative presentation and the award that proved Turkmenistan’s contribution to address this urgent problem, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov reminded the audience of the steps taken in recent years to strengthen the public health sector and fight against bad habits such as tobacco products consumption.
It was noted that Turkmenistan acceded to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2011 and developed the National Action Plan on Tobacco Control for 2012- 2016 jointly with the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The Mejlis of Turkmenistan adopted the Law of Turkmenistan on Protecting the Health of Citizens from the Effects of Tobacco Smoke and the Consequences of Tobacco Product Consumption.
Speaking about Turkmenistan's achievements in the implementation of the Saglyk State Programme, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab underlined a significant increase of the expectancy of life, reduction in mortality from infectious and respiratory diseases and maternal mortality and mortality of children under 15. It was emphasized that such diseases as poliomyelitis, malaria and dracontiasis had been eliminated in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has started implementing theuniversal salt iodization programme since 2004.
The Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe noted that the significant achievements in reducing the tobacco product consumption to the lowest rate in Europe made Turkmenistan the leader in this field. The guest said that she was looking forward to the start of the regional tobacco control project, which would be officially launched at the Ashgabat forum.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented the Order Bitaraplyk to Director-General of the World Health Organization Margaret Chan and Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab. The Turkmen leader noted that the awards symbolized the recognition of their role in enhancing the international prestige of our country as well as promoting cooperation between Turkmenistan and other countries and international organisations in the health sector.
The major aim of the international health forum in Ashgabat was to discuss a wide range of public health issues, promote mutually beneficial exchange of experience and identify the areas for further joint efforts to achieve the goals set.