On 27–31 May 2024, WHO/Europe, together with the WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan, will convene a national training on ship sanitation inspection and issuance of ship sanitation certificates (SSCs) to strengthen workforce development in Turkmenistan.
This event is being organized to support the State Sanitary Epidemiological Service of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan in providing trained personnel for the performance of ship inspections and issuance of SSCs, as one of the core-capacity requirements enshrined in Annex 1 of the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005).
Participants will include national IHR focal points and representatives from the State Sanitary Epidemiological Service or other competent authorities responsible for points of entry, including professionals from competent health authorities at the Turkmenbashi International Seaport in Turkmenistan.
They will engage in training sessions covering components of ship sanitation inspection and issuance of SSCs under the IHR, including completion of the WHO online training course on ship sanitation inspection and issuance of SSCs.
Additionally, participants will complete practice exercises for filling out SSCs and evidence report forms according to provisions in the IHR, and engage in group discussions on successes, challenges and ways to further improve the standards of ship sanitation inspection in Turkmenistan.
This training will serve to improve public health capacities for preventing and controlling public health risks on board ships arriving and departing from the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, and will strengthen the capacities of ship inspectors and competent authorities working at points of entry in Turkmenistan.