Asia and Oceania

The quality of medical care is poor.  There are some diagnostic facilities, particularly in Ashgabat, but these have not been tested and we cannot be confident that staff have the ability to understand the output.  Any subsequent treatment may also be unreliable or even unwise due to poorly trained staff, limited facilities and a lack of drugs and equipment.  Anything other than basic or emergency treatment, particularly away from the capital, is best avoided.  You should have up to date accident and medical insurance including cover for repatriation.

Typhoid, hepatitis A and malaria are common to Turkmenistan.  The later is normally found in southern areas of Turkmenistan (next to the Afghanistan border) between June and October.

You should drink or use only boiled and filtered or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  Unpasteurised milk should be avoided.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Turkmenistan you should seek immediate medical attention.

Due to the extreme temperatures in the summer (up to 50 Celsius in the shade) drink plenty of water, as dehydration is common.  You should beware of sunburn in the summer (May-September).

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that less than 1,000 adults aged 15 or over in Turkmenistan were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at less than 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Turkmenistan and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see: Travel Health.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

There have been no reported cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Turkmenistan during the current series of outbreaks.  But the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed cases elsewhere in the region.

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza on the FCO website.