Addressing male reproductive health is a new area of partnership between Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and leading health institutions in Russian Federation, initiated by UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund.  A group of male health specialists visited the leading male and adolescents reproductive health clinics in Russian Federation, and then developed the road map with fellow colleagues back home on improving the male reproductive health services in Turkmenistan.

Globally, there is a call for increased attention for better understanding of the status of male reproductive health.  Little focus in this area has led to increased number of infertile couples, which in turn, affects general wellbeing of the society. 

In Turkmenistan, male reproductive health problems are responsible for infertility in approximately 65 percent of infertile couples.  Research shows that 64 percent of the male adult reproductive health infertility and diseases have roots in childhood and adolescence.  Real figures and data are missing on the prevalence of reproductive health related problems in childhood and adolescence due to the lack of early screening and detection. 

"Research shows that 60-64% of pathological conditions that determine reproductive failure of a man roots in different periods of childhood, adolescence and youth.  Often male reproductive health disorders in childhood and adolescence that require active and timely detection, treatment and long-term medical supervision, have acymptonatic course, or in other words 82% of diseases of the reproductive system "Do not hurt", said Ms. Lidia Bardakova, UNFPA International Consultant on integrated male reproductive health services. 

According to the European Strategy for child and adolescent health and development, the priority of the countries should shift from traditional pediatrics to prevention.  The reproductive health diseases, which are overlooked in childhood or adolescence, are often the cause of various sexual disorders in adult life, which, in turn, lead to an array of insecurities, the instability in family relationships, and results in decline in the quality of life. 

Therefore, four male reproductive health specialists from different regions of Turkmenistan have visited leading institutions on adolescents’ male reproductive health, where they were demonstrated modern surgery techniques, and early detection methods and procedures of male reproductive health problems in childhood.  The experts of the male reproductive health institutions in Russian Federation have expressed interest in strengthening the partnership ties with colleagues in Turkmenistan.  

Following the study visit, the National Working Group has been created to develop the road map on improving the male reproductive health services in Turkmenistan.  The Order of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry has also been developed by the Working Group on integrating the reproductive health of child and adolescent boys into the healthcare system.  Using a life-course approach and addressing the health challenges at each stage of development from prenatal life to adolescence was one of the strategic directions of the Order. 

The partnership between maternal and child health institutions in Turkmenistan and Russian Federation will continue in the area of strengthening the system of early screening, detection and treatment of reproductive health diseases in child and adolescent boys.   

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For additional information, please contact:

Kemal Goshliyev, Reproductive Health NPO
goshliyev@unfpa.org

Ene Tuyliyeva, Advocacy Communication Associate
tuyliyeva@unfpa.org

Tel: 488325
Web: turkmenistan.unfpa.org, tm.one.un.org