A meeting of the national working group on the development of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis (TB) Control in Turkmenistan for 2026–2030 was held by the WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan at the United Nations building in Ashgabat.
The meeting took place via video conference and was opened by WHO Representative in Turkmenistan Dr Egor Zaitsev. It was led by Regional Adviser on TB at the WHO Regional Office for Europe Dr Askar Yedilbayev, together with WHO expert Dr Mikhail Volik. In his remarks, Dr Zaitsev emphasized that updating national guidelines on TB control and treatment, conducting operational research, and implementing other key activities coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe with the support of the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Fund have all contributed to significant progress in the implementation of Turkmenistan’s National Program for the Prevention and Control of TB for 2021–2025.
The meeting provided an opportunity to present and discuss the final draft of the new NSP, which will guide the country’s efforts to combat TB over the next 5 years. The NSP is fully aligned with WHO’s TB-Free Central Asia initiative and based on the key priorities of the TB action plan for the WHO European Region 2023–2030. The plan builds on the achievements of the previous NSP for 2021–2025 and incorporates updated global and regional strategies for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Discussions centred on 2 priorities: presentation of the finalized NSP for TB Control for 2026–2030, the next steps for its adoption and implementation, as well as review of the progress in the implementation of the electronic TB recording and reporting information system (TB-RRIS) in Turkmenistan and consideration of strategies for its further expansion across the country to strengthen surveillance, monitoring and reporting systems.
The meeting brought together members of the national working group from the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, along with representatives from the National Red Crescent Society and the Medical Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan.
Speaking at the meeting, WHO experts emphasized the value of aligning Turkmenistan’s national strategies with international best practices and evidence-based approaches, while tailoring interventions to the country’s specific needs. They also noted that the TB-RRIS system represents a significant step forward in digital health solutions, enabling more efficient case management and real-time data collection to inform policy and practice.
This collaborative effort marks a significant milestone in Turkmenistan’s commitment to public health and its determination to strengthen national TB control programmes. The new NSP for 2026–2030 will serve as a roadmap for accelerating progress, reducing the burden of TB and ultimately improving the health and well-being of the population.