Health Minister to Participate in 8th SCO Meeting: Key Insights and Collaborative Strategies Ahead!

Health cooperation is taking center stage as a delegation led by Iran’s Health Minister, Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi, participates in the eighth meeting of health ministries from member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Xi’an, China. This significant event, which commenced on April 24, 2025, aims to promote sustainable health development and share a healthier future among member nations.

The meeting has brought together health ministers from various countries, including China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as senior officials from the World Health Organization. This week-long gathering is set to cover vital topics that are crucial for enhancing health systems globally.

• Strengthening Resilience: The focus will be on enhancing the resilience of health systems through primary health care (PHC).
• Risk Management: Discussions will include risk management and responses to medical emergencies.
• Digital Health Services: The use of digital technologies, including telemedicine and artificial intelligence, will be explored to improve health services.
• Traditional Medicine: Cooperation on the development of traditional medicine will also be a key area of focus.

During this significant meeting, two crucial documents will be signed: the declaration of the 8th Meeting of the SCO health ministers and the SCO medical emergency action plan. Minister Zafarqandi is expected to deliver a keynote speech and engage in discussions with fellow health ministers on strategies to enhance health collaborations among member states.

On the first day of his visit to China, Zafarqandi attended a meeting titled “Health Based on Transformation and Innovation: New Opportunities for Iran-China Cooperation in Medical Technology.” He emphasized the long-standing health cooperation between Iran and China, noting the advancements in pharmaceutical raw materials, medicines, and medical equipment from both countries.

Minister Zafarqandi expressed optimism about expanding the medical partnership between Iran and China, especially following President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to China. The meeting also featured 18 Chinese companies specializing in pharmaceuticals, medical, and hospital equipment. These companies showcased their products and proposed collaborations aimed at addressing Iran’s medical manufacturing needs and technology transfer.

Previously, the seventh meeting of the SCO health ministers took place in March in Kazakhstan, where environmental health and drinking water safety were the primary topics. During this three-day event, three key documents were signed to enhance cooperation on safe drinking water and sewage management, alongside the adoption of comprehensive policies and measures to improve healthcare in member states from 2025 to 2027.

Tehran’s Vision for Enhanced Health Cooperation

The Iranian health ministry is actively seeking to strengthen its collaborations with both the SCO and the BRICS intergovernmental organization. A recent coordination meeting aimed at boosting cooperation with these organizations took place on August 17, 2024, in Tehran.

During this meeting, Mohammad-Amir Amirkhani, the deputy director of the health ministry’s international affairs department, highlighted the importance of leveraging Iran’s membership in the SCO to foster international health cooperation. He emphasized the need to harness the capabilities that come with this membership.

Moreover, Mehrdad Kiaei, the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the SCO Secretariat, elaborated on Iran’s strong relationships with SCO member states. He expressed hope that Iran could play a more significant role in various sectors, including energy, communication, and health, due to its strategic position in the region.

Kiaei also discussed the potential benefits of forming special working groups focused on health, such as an advisory group dedicated to the provision of emergency drugs or universal health coverage within the SCO framework. This initiative aims to facilitate collaboration and enhance health outcomes across member states.

As the meeting progresses, members of the working group will review proposals related to health cooperation with the SCO. This collaboration is expected to further solidify Iran’s position in the region and improve health services for its citizens and those in partner nations.

Through these efforts, Iran is poised to enhance its health cooperation with the SCO, ensuring that sustainable health development becomes a shared goal among all member states.

By prioritizing health partnerships and embracing innovative solutions, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization aims to pave the way for a healthier future for all its members.