From March 24 to 27, 2026, Dr. Oleg Benes, a technical officer from the Immunization and Vaccine-preventable Diseases Program at the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, conducted a mission to Turkmenistan. The visit aimed to provide technical guidance and support for the country’s ongoing efforts to enhance its national vaccine safety monitoring systems. This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of the WHO and the Turkmen government to ensuring the highest standards of public health.

During the first two days of the mission, Dr. Benes worked closely with specialists from the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. The focus of these sessions was the implementation of a robust national surveillance system for adverse events following immunization (AEFI). The technical review included an analysis of organizational roles and responsibilities, the application of WHO monitoring tools, and the development of a strategic action plan to modernize AEFI oversight.

A significant highlight of the mission was an online session on pharmacovigilance and the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring (PIDM). Featuring experts from WHO Headquarters and the Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC), the session introduced Turkmenistan’s health professionals to the global strategy for "smart" pharmacovigilance. The discussions explained the benefits of joining the PIDM network, a global collaborative effort established in 1968 that facilitates the international exchange of safety data for medicines and vaccines.

The mission concluded with intensive training for the National Immunization Program team under the leadership of Dr. Benes. On March 27, discussions centered on the practical steps for Turkmenistan to join the WHO Global Programme for International Monitoring of Medicines and Vaccines as an associate member. These activities highlight the enduring partnership between Turkmenistan and the WHO, aimed at building public trust in immunization programs and contributing to broader national and global health security.