.Turkmen president orders creation of first aid centre in the country.

    ASHGABAD, July 30 (Itar-Tass) - Turkmen President Gurbanguly
Berdymukhamedov has ordered creating a unified first aid centre in
Turkmenistan and opening its branches in regions.
    "This centre should be fitted out with modern medical equipment,
ambulances, helicopters and sanitary planes," the Turkmen head of state
told a government meeting on Thursday.
    Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is a dentist by education. Prior to taking
presidential office, he had headed the Ministry of Public Health and
Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.
    "We should improve the quality of medical services and make them match
international standards. A system of international medical centres has
already been set up in Turkmenistan. Now, we'll have to create a world
class first aid service," Berdymukhamedov went on to say.
    He ordered the government to hold an international bidding for
drafting a project for the construction of a unified first aid centre.
    Last week, the Turkmen president attended the opening of two
international medical centres.
    Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov told the government
meeting about the need to fight corruption and suggested setting up
financial police for this purpose. The presidential proposal came in the
wake of an open trial held on Thursday over a group of executives of the
Turkmen Central Bank who extorted money from customers.
    "Unfortunately, there are people in our ranks who hold responsible
posts at state institutions but are more concerned with their personal
interests rather than state ones," the president went on to say.
    "The bank employees used their position for personal enrichment. They
took bribes, thus jeopardizing the country's image in the eyes of foreign
companies," Berdymukhamedov stressed.
    "A company which was supposed to start the construction of a vital
facility in accordance with the government resolution couldn't get
financing for the project until its representative didn't bribe the bank
employees," the Turkmen head of state said, adding the prosecutor's office
was investigating plenty of corruption cases.
    Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov promised to root out corruption in
Turkmenistan and punish every person engaged in illegal activities.
    The trial over the bankers was shown on national television last
Thursday. They were sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption. The
damage to the Turkmen state caused by the Central Bank employees is
estimated at more than 4.6 million dollars.