Drug Prevention & Youth Health: UNODC and the Regional Youth Network for Central Asia launched “Youth Awareness & Healthy Lifestyle Week” in Ashgabat (June 25–July 2) under the theme “Prevention Starts with Me,” training 13–18-year-olds on making safer, drug-free choices through peer-to-peer sessions, presentations, and demonstrations. Public Health & Sanitation Risk: A reported rat infestation at a Turkmen presidential residence near Ashgabat triggered an overnight extermination operation; dead rodents were sent for lab testing at the Institute of Clinical Medicine and Epidemiology, with results reported as showing no dangerous infections, while officials link rising rat numbers to fewer stray cats and dogs. Child Health Support Diplomacy: The Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov charity’s medical leadership met with UNDP and ambassadors from China and Palestine to expand children’s healthcare and social assistance cooperation, including plans tied to international partners. Water Access Context: A global data map highlights that safe drinking water remains out of reach for billions, underscoring the wider health stakes of clean-water infrastructure. Health System Funding Pressure (Regional): Separate reporting on austerity measures elsewhere notes how travel and budget decisions can affect health services, a reminder of how policy choices can ripple into care. Health & Identity Services Issue: Turkmen.news reports biometric fingerprint failures for passport applicants, with people sometimes pushed to obtain medical certificates from dermatology/venereology clinics when scanners can’t capture prints.