International Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Standards Being Implemented at Turkmenistan’s Border Crossings
Specialized training organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for specialists from Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health and border services took place in Ashgabat. The primary goal was to develop mechanisms for rapid response to public health threats at the country's land and air borders.
Experts from the IOM Regional Office in Vienna and the WHO country office presented Turkmen specialists with digital algorithms for tracking migration flows and systems for the early detection of dangerous infectious diseases directly at border crossing points.
During practical sessions, participants developed standard operating procedures for border crossings to be used in the event of emergencies and natural disasters. The new protocol outlines the course of action for medical services, ranging from initial diagnosis and quarantine measures to inter-agency data sharing and the provision of emergency medical and psychological assistance.
Particular emphasis was placed on integrating border-based epidemiological surveillance with the national healthcare system. The project is being implemented as part of the IOM program to enhance emergency preparedness in Central Asia and Afghanistan.
