TEHRAN, NOV 26 (DNA) – Saira Afzal Tarar, Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Co-ordination reached Tehran on a three day official visit this Friday to the Islamic Republic of Iran at the invitation of her counterpart Dr. Seyyed Hassan Qazizadeh Hashmi.

Minister Tarar held meetings with the Iranian Health Minister Dr. Hashmi; Mr. Moohebati, President of Iran Health Insurance Organization (IHIO); Dr. Asghari, President Iran Food and Drug Administration and other Iranian officials from the health sector in which possibilities of cooperation between the two countries in the public health sector came under discussion.

The Federal Minister lauded the universal public health coverage of Iran as an example in the region and said that family planning, primary public health, pharmaceuticals, polio eradication, controlling infectious and non-infectious diseases and Iran’s health insurance system and health reform plan are areas in which both countries can collaborate and benefit from each other’s experiences.

Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in the public health sector including medical education and follow upon the MoUs signed between the two countries, when President Rouhani visited Islamabad in March last year.

Iranian Health Minister expressed his gratitude to the Government of Pakistan on sending condolences and humanitarian assistance for the victims of the recent earthquake in Karmanshah.

Earlier, Ms. Saira Afzal Tarar visited Tehran Heart Center and Endocrinology & Metabolism Research Center in Tehran. Later, the Federal Minister left for Isfahan, where she will hold meeting with Chancellor of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and visit Cardio Vascular Diseases Research Center and Rural & Urban Health Centers.

The Minister is accompanied by Dr. Asad Hafeez, DG (Health), Ministry of NHSRC as well as Dr. Faisal Rafiq, Director Technical, Prime Minister National Health Program; Mr. Sher Gul Khan, Chief Planning officer, Dr. Amir Rafiq Khatak, Coordinator in Social Health Protection initiative; Dr. Hafiz ud Din Pathan, Zonal Head State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan; Mr. Haroon Ibrahim, Deputy General Manager, Green Star Social Marketing and Dr. Zulfiqar Khan, SHO National Professional officer.=DNA

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