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Turkmenistan International Health Insurance / Healthcare System
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 Turkmenistan
is a former Soviet Republic in Central Asia, bordering Iran,
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea. It
currently boasts one of the fastest growing economies in the
world, recording 11 percent GDP growth in 2010, with proven
reserves of oil, natural gas and minerals attracting major
international investment. Turkmenistan’s long history as a
crossroads between east and west includes conquest by Persians,
Russians, Alexander the Great and various other civilizations, as
well as being an important stopping point on the Silk Road trading
routes between Europe and Asia, with a number of UNESCO World
Heritage Sites dating from that era.
Despite being rich in natural resources, Turkmenistan is a
relatively poor middle income country, and national health
indicators are low. For example, average life expectancy is 60
years for Turkmen males and 67 years for females. Maternal
mortality rates are high for the region, at 77 per 100,000 births,
but relatively low globally where the norm is 260 (Turkmenistan is
categorized as part of the WHO European region). Similarly,
tuberculosis prevalence has 90 reported cases per 100,000 people,
compared to a global average 201 cases per 100,000 people.
Although it left the Soviet Union two decades ago, Turkmenistan
remains largely a single-party democracy. While health care is
theoretically universal, overall health care spending per capita
is USD259, only a small fraction of the regional average; this
figure makes up about 4.8 percent of GDP. Low spending means that
medical equipment is often out of date and frequent drug shortages
hinder treatment. Government expenditure makes up roughly half of
overall health care spending in Turkmenistan, with private care
only recently being permitted. Spending on private health care
comes entirely out of pocket; there is no locally-based private
health care system in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan’s state run health care system has been efficient in
delivering basic prenatal, birth and antenatal care. Births are
universally attended by skilled health care professionals, 83
percent of mothers make four or more antenatal visits to a doctor
and measles immunisations for one year olds are nearly universal.
These figures are higher than those in even the wealthiest, most
developed nations. There is little inequity between rich and poor,
and rural and urban Turkmen regarding access to basic health care.
However, the level of care can only be described as “basic” as
many of the modern medical technologies in developed countries are
not found in Turkmenistan.
The health care workforce in Turkmenistan can be described as
adequate, although below regional standards. There are 24.4
trained physicians and 45.2 nurses and midwives per 10,000
Turkmen. This is sufficient to provide for basic local needs, but
is roughly two thirds of the European norm. A November 2010
workshop co-hosted by the UN and the Turkmenistan government
prepared local health care workers and media professionals for
emergency communication strategies in case of a serious health
catastrophe. Additional joint workshops between these two bodies
have covered: juvenile nutrition, flu prevention, immunisation,
medical ethics and breastfeeding.
Turkmenistan also scores highly on basic quality of life
indicators. Improved drinking water is available to all urban
residents, although this figure falls in more remote rural parts
of the county. There is also universal access to improved
sanitation facilities, although in practice these might not
measure up to developed country standards.
Turkmenistan is not yet a major travel destination, but its
aforementioned Silk Road heritage would appeal to intrepid
tourists and its economic growth and natural endowments attract
business travelers. However, visits to Turkmenistan are not
without risk, and the US Centers for Disease Control have provided
a series of advisories to prepare travelers. Most recently, a 2011
outbreak of polio struck Tajikistan and parts of Russia with three
confirmed cases in Turkmenistan, putting visitors to central Asia
on alert. UNICEF and the Turkmenistan Ministry of Health have
collaborated to introduce a scheme to distribute polio vaccine to
600,000 local children.
As with a visit to any developing country, a visit to a physician
specializing in travel medicine is recommended four to six weeks
before any visit to Turkmenistan. At minimum, routine
immunisations should be updated, including rabies vaccine for
those planning to spend extended periods of time outdoors with
possible contact with wild animals. Tickborne encephalitis is also
prevalent in the region, so long sleeves and trousers and insect
repellent are recommended. Diptheria prevalence has been reduced
in recent years thanks to immunisation programs, but it remains a
health risk.
While communicable diseases perhaps inspire the most fear in
travellers, the greatest health risks come from gastrointestinal
distress from undercooked food or unclean water, or automobile
accidents, due to unfamiliarity with local terrain, traffic laws
and regulations.
Although a middle-income country, Turkmenistan’s health care
resources in remote areas can be very limited given the low
density of the population. While universal health care is
available, evacuation by airlift may be required in emergency
situations. In order to be prepared for serious medical
emergencies, it is critical that expatriate health insurance and
other health care arrangements arrangements are planned ahead of
time.
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Turkmenistan International Health Insurance |
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If you are planning to visit central Asia and Turkmenistan is on
your itinerary, Globalsurance is here to help with in-depth
consultations to assist with your international travel health
insurance needs. Globalsurance has a dedicated roster of
experienced teams worldwide. Our advisers can provide detailed
options on Turkmenistan international insurance policies for individual
travelers, families and tour groups. Policies available through
Globalsurance cover a full range of medical services including:
dental, maternity, specialist consultation, transportation,
inpatient services and more. Contact a Globalsurance adviser today
for a free expat health insurance consultation.
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