Minister Calls on WHO to Safeguard Global Health Amid Sanctions Crisis

In a recent address, Iran’s Health Minister, Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi, highlighted the detrimental impact of sanctions on public health, describing them as silent wars that undermine health systems. His remarks come during the seventy-second session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (RC72), held in Cairo from October 15 to 17. Zafarqandi urged the WHO and its member states to take decisive action to shield healthcare systems from political pressures and sanctions, while also advocating for enhanced regional solidarity to effectively address health crises and climate change.

Zafarqandi’s statements shed light on the significant challenges faced by Iran’s health system over the past year. These challenges have been exacerbated by unfair sanctions and a recent 12-day war imposed by Israel, which targeted crucial non-military infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives, including children, women, and healthcare workers.

As reported by IRNA, Zafarqandi emphasized the findings published in The Lancet, which indicate that sanctions can inflict as much, or even more, suffering than armed conflicts. He stated, “Sanctions, as silent wars against public health, have systematically blocked access to essential medications and caused widespread suffering and death among the most vulnerable patients, especially children.”

Despite facing immense economic pressures, Iran remains unwavering in its commitment to enhance its primary healthcare network. The goals include:

• Achieving universal health coverage.
• Empowering communities to combat noncommunicable diseases.
• Addressing ageism and its health consequences.
• Tackling social determinants of health, such as poverty and environmental factors.

Zafarqandi reaffirmed Iran’s dedication to health diplomacy, asserting that “health is the strongest bridge to peace and sustainable development.” He also drew attention to the dire conditions in Gaza, calling on participants at RC72 to contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza’s devastated health infrastructure, which has been severely impacted by ongoing blockades and conflicts.

RC72 serves as a vital platform for health ministers, policymakers, and regional leaders to discuss urgent health priorities and implement long-term reforms. This year, five critical technical papers will be presented, encouraging member states to commit to the following initiatives:

1. Halving the number of zero-dose children—those who have never received a vaccine—by 2030 and eliminating rubella and congenital rubella syndrome.
2. Integrating palliative care into national health systems to alleviate avoidable suffering among millions, including cancer patients and refugees with chronic illnesses.
3. Addressing health-system recovery in crisis-affected nations, such as Afghanistan, the occupied Palestinian territory, Sudan, and Yemen, by ensuring humanitarian responses coincide with investments in rebuilding health infrastructures.
4. Reviewing laboratory safety and governance, a crucial yet often overlooked area of regional health security.
5. Developing a climate-resilient health framework that builds on the Global Plan of Action on Climate Change and Health, which was adopted at the World Health Assembly earlier this year.

On the sidelines of RC72, Minister Zafarqandi has engaged in discussions with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Egypt. In his meeting with Saudi Arabian Health Minister Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel, both officials underscored the necessity of enhancing collaborative efforts in health-related fields. Zafarqandi highlighted the importance of implementing existing health agreements and fostering scientific, educational, and medical cooperation to improve health outcomes in the region.

Al-Jalajel extended an invitation to Zafarqandi to attend the upcoming Global Health Exhibition, scheduled for October 27 to 30 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, themed “Invest in Health.”

Similarly, during discussions with Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, the Egyptian health official, the two acknowledged the similarities between the healthcare systems of Iran and Egypt. They recognized the potential for collaboration in various health sectors, particularly in the manufacturing of medications. Zafarqandi emphasized the need to promote medical and pharmaceutical partnerships and appointed representatives to ensure the effective implementation of their agreements.

As the discussions at RC72 unfold, the commitment to strengthening health systems amidst political and economic challenges remains a central focus for regional leaders. The importance of international collaboration and solidarity in addressing health crises and building resilience against future challenges cannot be overstated.