OREANDA-NEWS. February 27, 2009. The Second Inter-Country Workshop on Pandemic Preparedness for Newly Independent States organized by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the WHO Regional Office for Europe closed in the Turkmen capital. The forum brought together the healthcare workers and international experts from over 50 countries.

During three days the forum participants shared the outcomes of the work conducted at national level, specified the approaches to cooperation and focused on the importance of mutual warning of an approaching pandemic influenza and preventive measures. The overview on the major trends in pandemic influenza preparedness in the countries of the European region and the relevant activities conducted by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and reflected in the document – the WHO Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.

Expressing satisfaction at the results of the forum the participants expressed gratitude to the organizers and in particular the Government of Turkmenistan for the high level of organisation and favourable working conditions. The workshop participants noted that the international meetings in Turkmenistan were organized in an effective manner and the constructive and businesslike atmosphere that was proved by the representative participation in the forum. Initially scheduled as the regional workshop it gained the subregional status for the participants representing China and Mongolia along with the participants from the WHO European region.