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Health Care, Disease Control, Crime and Safety in Turkmenistan

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Health care is free to all citizens of Turkmenistan, but its healthcare system is inherited  from the Soviet regime that has left many problems for the people and government health authorities. Among these problems are the short supply of bsic medicines, absence of modern medical technologies, and lack of well-trained physicians and other medical personnel. Health and welfare institutions are administered by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Social Welfare under a national health program being implemented by the national government. The national health program aims to develop a national health care system based on international standards, promotes a healthy lifestyle and good health for the people, and guarantee high-quality medical services. It also implements important healthcare programs such as maternity and child care, anaemia control, breast feeding, polio vaccinations in regions, prevention and eradication of measles, rubella and malaria, and enrichment of food products through educational drives.

Most of the country’s medical facilities are found in Ashgabat such as the Central Hospital, S.A. Niyazov International Medical Center, Saparmurat Turkmenbashy International Medical Center for Internal Diseases, Turkmenbashy the Great Hospital, and the Sanitary Aviation Department. Medicines prescribed from these medical facilities, however, may not be available anywhere in the country and, if available, their quality control is very limited. Moreover, even if the services are free under the law, medical facilities are not easily accessible to majority of the population since access requires payment of substantial fees.