On 12–13 February, 2026, a delegation of experts from the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan conducted a study visit to Ljubljana to examine Slovenia’s best practices in cervical cancer prevention and early diagnosis. This technical mission was organized with the support of the UNFPA Office in Turkmenistan, in collaboration with the Regional Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention.
The visit centered on “ZORA,” Slovenia’s national screening program, which is widely considered as one of Europe’s most successful models for organized screening. The Turkmen delegation analyzed the program’s population-wide screening mechanisms, the management of centralized data registries, and current standards for cytopathology laboratories. Moreover, participants reviewed international protocols for HPV testing as a high-impact tool for reducing disease incidence.
The insights and technical approaches gained from this visit will provide a foundation for standardizing national screening protocols and strengthening women’s health monitoring systems in Turkmenistan.
