Iran Poised to Strengthen Health Partnerships with Caspian Nations
During the recent third Caspian Economic Forum, held in Tehran on February 17-18, discussions focused on enhancing health sector cooperation among the Caspian Sea coastal states. This event underscored Iran’s commitment to fostering collaboration with its neighboring countries, including Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan, in various fields of public health.
The two-day forum aimed to bolster economic, trade, scientific, and technological partnerships among the Caspian littoral states. Key areas of focus included:
- Healthcare
- Energy
- Finance
- Tourism
- Investment in Free Trade Zones
- Logistics
Mohammad-Hossein Niknam, the deputy health minister for international affairs, emphasized the potential for the five Caspian nations to enhance their cooperation in various domains. He highlighted the necessity of implementing practical measures to improve the health outcomes for people across the region, as reported by the health ministry’s website.
According to Niknam, Iran possesses significant capabilities in the health sector, which can facilitate collaborative efforts in several vital areas, including:
- Medicine
- Medical Equipment
- Medical Education
- Professional Skills Development
- Health Research
- Specialized Medical Services
- Control of Diseases
In addition, President Masoud Pezeshkian praised Iran’s health system as a model not only for the region but also globally, particularly due to its effective primary healthcare services. This acknowledgment came during a national seminar in Mashhad, which honored healthcare professionals, including nursing aides.
During this seminar, Pezeshkian expressed his admiration for the significant progress achieved in the health sector, attributing these advancements to the relentless efforts of health workers. Their contributions include:
- Vaccination Programs
- Prenatal Care for Pregnant Women
- Infectious Disease Control
- Health Education Initiatives
- Training of New Health Staff
The results of these efforts have been impressive, with notable improvements in:
- Life Expectancy
- Reduction in Infant Mortality Rate
- Control of Infectious Diseases
- Reduction of Chronic Disease Complications
In a significant affirmation of Iran’s health sector, the World Health Organization (WHO) director for the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO), Hanna Hasan Balkhi, remarked in October 2024 that Iran serves as a role model for health systems in the region. Balkhi expressed a keen interest in enhancing cooperation with Iran during a meeting with Iranian health officials on the sidelines of the WHO EMRO’s seventy-first session in Doha, Qatar.
“During my short visit to Iran a few months ago, I became familiar with the capabilities of Iran in the health sector; Iran is a role model in health in the region,” Balkhi stated. He further highlighted the importance of leveraging the full potential of the regional countries and reiterated the WHO’s commitment to supporting the implementation of health programs.
In response, Alireza Raeisi, the Iranian deputy health minister, outlined key priorities for the country’s health sector, which include:
- Completion of the Family Physician Program
- Implementation of the Electronic Health Record Program
Raeisi also pointed out the growing issue of non-communicable diseases, stating that the crises in West Asia have unfortunately led to an increase in their prevalence. “The onset age of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity has lowered,” he noted. To combat this, plans are underway to manage risk factors from childhood through to old age, highlighting the necessity for collaborative efforts with the WHO.
The discussions at the Caspian Economic Forum mark a crucial step in fostering regional cooperation in health, potentially paving the way for improved health outcomes across the Caspian littoral states.
