Saira explores avenues for collaboration with Iran

Islamabad: Family planning, primary public health, pharmaceuticals, polio eradication, control of infectious and non-infectious diseases, and Iran’s health insurance system and health reform plan are areas in which Pakistan and Iran can benefit from each other’s experiences.
Minister for Health Saira Afzal Tarar stated this during a meeting with her Iranian counterpart Dr. Seyyed Hassan Qazizadeh Hashmi in Tehran, where she reached on a three-day official visit this Friday.
Saira held meetings with the Iranian Health Minister Dr. Hashmi; Mr. Moohebati, President of Iran Health Insurance Organisation (IHIO); Dr. Asghari, President Iran Food and Drug Administration, and other Iranian officials from the health sector. During these meetings, the possibilities of cooperation between the two countries in public health came under discussion. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the public health sector including medical education and follow-up on the MoUs signed between the two countries.
Dr. Hashmi thanked Pakistan for sending condolences and humanitarian assistance for victims of the recent earthquake in Karmanshah. Earlier, Saira visited Tehran Heart Centre and Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Centre before leaving for Isfahan, where she will hold a meeting with the chancellor of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.
The Minister is accompanied by Dr. Asad Hafeez, DG Health, as well as Dr. Faisal Rafiq, Director Technical, Prime Minister National Health Programme; Sher Gul Khan, Chief Planning Officer, Dr. Amir Rafiq Khatak, Coordinator in Social Health Protection; Dr. Hafiz ud Din Pathan, Zonal Head, State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan; Haroon Ibrahim, Deputy General Manager, Green Star Social Marketing and Dr. Zulfiqar Khan, WHO National Professional Officer.