Today, a solemn meeting was held at the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry on the occasion of the award of the World Health Organization in gratitude and recognition of the selfless work of healthcare and social service workers, their invaluable contribution to protecting the health and well-being of the inhabitants of our country in the context of the initiative initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and successfully the implemented State program "Saglyk".

The event on this significant occasion was attended by leaders and employees of the national health system, media representatives, as well as the Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Turkmenistan, Ms. Narine Sahakyan, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, Dmitry Shlapachenko.

As noted, the past year 2021, declared by the World Health Organization as the International Year of Medical and Social Workers, was very difficult for the physical and mental health of people around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a severe test for the healthcare system, forcing healthcare and social care workers to work to the limit of their ability, despite the risks to their own health.

The participants of the meeting, expressing gratitude to the WHO Regional Office for Europe and Regional Director Hans Kluge for the high award, especially emphasized that protecting the health and life of people, ensuring their safety are the main goal of the socially oriented policy pursued by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the essence of which lies in its main principle "The state is for man!"

Turkmenistan constantly exchanges its accumulated experience with other countries, participates in international events related to the healthcare sector.

Great importance in the ongoing large-scale work to reform domestic health care is attached to strengthening international cooperation. In this direction, reliable and long-term partners of our country are authoritative organizations, primarily the UN and its specialized structures, in particular the WHO, together with which the most important projects are being implemented.

It was noted that the fight against the new challenge of our time - the new type of coronavirus pandemic, which poses a serious threat to humanity, remains the focus of attention of the world community, in connection with which it is more important than ever for all states to coordinate their actions within the WHO.

Today, our country occupies a leading position in counteracting this dangerous infectious disease that has changed the habitual way of life of people all over the planet. Taking into account the difficult situation in the world, under the leadership of the leader of the nation, comprehensive preventive measures are being implemented to prevent the emergence and spread of this infection in the territory of Turkmenistan.

Evidence of the effectiveness of medical diplomacy led by the leader of the nation was regular online communication with medical scientists, experts and specialized specialists from the world's leading medical and research centers, which directly contributes to the expansion of constructive international partnership and the exchange of practical achievements in this extremely important area.

The United Nations plays a key coordinating role in this process, as evidenced by the UN-Turkmenistan-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2021-2025, which aims to increase cooperation in a wide range of areas.

And the current presentation of a letter of thanks and an award from the European WHO has become another evidence of the recognition of the colossal systematic work carried out in Turkmenistan in the name of the health of citizens, their happiness and well-being.