The National specialists of the Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan developed the National Action Plan on Minimum Initial Reproductive Health Service Package (MISP) during a three-day workshop, organized by UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund.

Dr. Vasil Betlemidze, UNFPA international expert, facilitated the workshop and shared best practices on development and implementation of the National Action Plan on MISP.

The participants of the working group analyzed the current hazards mapping, country needs and priorities and aligned the most efficient and effective strategies to the National Action Plan, which was developed in line with the international standards and best practices. The importance of preparedness to the manmade and natural disasters in terms of Reproductive Health aspects was highlighted during the discussions and through sharing best practices on development and implementation of National Action Plan on MSP by the international expert.

“Implementing the MISP is an international standard of care that should be implemented at the onset of every emergency,” said Dr. Betlemidze. “Women and girls are particularly vulnerable among the disaster-affected population. They are at risk of complications during the pregnancy and delivery, sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. This makes it indispensable to integrate the reproductive health issues into the planning and management of disaster situations on the national level.”