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From September 30 to October 3, 2025, an important mission of the World Health Organization (WHO) took place in Turkmenistan, aimed at strengthening national measures to combat tuberculosis (TB). The WHO Country Office provided practical and methodological support to specialists working at the National Reference Laboratory (NRL).

The mission was led by Dr. Vladimir Antonenko, Head of the Department of Global Partnership at the Institute of Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine in Gauting (Germany) and an expert of the WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory for TB.

The visit was organized within the framework of the Global Fund’s Work Plan to Fight Tuberculosis for 2025–2027 and aimed to enhance the technical capacity of the NRL, which operates under the Ministry of Health of Turkmenistan.

A key component was a three-day training program focused on:

• Updating knowledge on testing procedures (Pt and Cs in the MGIT system);

• Interpretation of results and quality assurance of laboratory studies.

In addition to the training, Dr. Antonenko conducted an assessment of the current Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) process in the NRL. This assessment covered key quality indicators required to meet international standards.

Based on the analysis, NRL specialists together with the WHO expert developed individualized quality improvement plans. This effort aims to align national laboratory practices with international standards.

This initiative highlights Turkmenistan’s continued commitment to combating tuberculosis and its aspiration to achieve global TB elimination goals through strengthening diagnostic services and international cooperation.

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Photo: Provided by the WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan