OREANDA-NEWS. February 18, 2008. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov received the delegation of the German physicians - Professor, Vice Director of the Centre of Internal Diseases of the Wilhelm-Ludwig University Doctor Klaus Parhofer, Professor, Vice Director of the Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Doctor Uwe Hansbergen and Chief of the Department of Neonatology, Doctor Andreas Flemmer.

Expressing sincere gratitude for the opportunity of a personal meeting the guests, who had arrived in Ashgabat within the framework of the programme of co-operation with the world’s leading medical centres initiated by the Turkmen leader, cordially congratulated Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov on the first anniversary of presidency and coming National Flag Day and wished good health and new accomplishments in the work for the benefit of the Turkmen people. The guests emphasized that Turkmenistan’s profound achievements gained in the vital sphere - healthcare during the years of independence under leadership of national leader Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov attached particular significance to their visit. The effective work to prevent, considerably reduce and eliminate the diseases, to propagate the healthy lifestyle, the achievements in cardiology and treatment of internal diseases were recognised all over the world. Diagnostics, child and maternity care were of particular concern to the Turkmen government.

Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said that he was glad to welcome the partners from FRG in Ashgabat emphasizing that Turkmenistan had the good traditions of co-operation with German medical specialists. Improvement the national healthcare system, first of all, through widely applying the advanced technologies and best international practices, was a priority of the national policy. The clinics and diagnostic centres in Turkmenistan were supplied with the equipment produced by the leading German companies that enabled to bring the quality of medical services up to a higher level complying with the international standards. In this regard Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov briefed the guests on the plans and prospects of further development of Turkmen healthcare and strengthening the material and technical basis of the sector.

The German delegation consisted of the well-known experts in child and maternity care and other actual fields of medicine. During the visit to Turkmenistan the guests would get acquainted with the achievements of Turkmen medicine, share experience with Turkmen colleagues and deliver the series of lectures for the students of the Turkmen State Medical Institute.

During the meting with the President the guests presented the programme of co-operation with Turkmen partners stipulating for establishing the joint coordination body and multi-field collaboration. The programme stipulated for developing close contacts at the level of research and education and clinical centres covering almost every field of modern medical science and practice.

The programme elaborated on the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan had been launched. In this context Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov focused on the necessity of achieving the designated goals taking account of the Turkmenistan’s specifics. The President noted that successfully developed in the medical sphere Turkmen-German partnership was not limited to it.

The guests thanked for the opportunity of a personal meeting and put emphasis on the Turkmen leader’s large-scale, constructive and professional approach to development of the national healthcare system towards compliance with the international standards and progress.

Upon concluding the meeting Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov wished the guests success in their noble mission emphasizing that the new joint project would be an important step towards enhancement and expansion of Turkmen-German co-operation.

Speaking about the aims of their visit to Turkmenistan Professor Klaus Parhofer stated that he and his colleagues were happy to collaborate in the new joint project aimed at developing full-scale co-operation with Turkmenistan in healthcare, including such an important field as child and maternity care. Focusing on paramount importance, which President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov attached to the reforms in the national healthcare system, the guest expressed belief that the project would be an important step towards intensification and expansion of effective co-operation between Turkmenistan and Germany.