IRCS reopens medical center in Afghanistan

October 31, 2023 - 15:57

TEHRAN – The medical center of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) reopened in Zaranj, Afghanistan, Peyman Namdar, an official with the IRCS, said on Monday.

“Following the negotiations between the heads of the Red Crescent Society of the two countries, representatives and the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul, finally it was decided to reopen this center,” IRNA quoted Namdar as saying.

The IRCS Medical Center did start its activities yesterday, he said.

“Preliminary measures are being taken to prepare the health center to perform medical examinations and general surgeries. We hope to be able to take positive steps and develop this medical center,” Namdar added.

Iran delivering humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

Iran has already provided Afghans with several consignments of humanitarian aid.

After a devastating earthquake that claimed more than 2,000 lives in Afghanistan, four consignments of humanitarian aid including tons of donated goods and rescue forces from Iran have been dispatched to Afghanistan so far.

“Ten teams including 50 rescue workers have been dispatched to Afghanistan,” IRNA quoted Babak Mahmoudi, the head of the IRCS rescue and relief organization, as saying.

Health diplomacy

Health Minister Bahram Einollahi has said health diplomacy is one of the areas that are able to deepen relations between countries in the region.

There are many common issues for cooperation in the field of health between countries, he said, adding that the government's strategy is to strengthen foreign policy, especially with neighboring countries, IRNA reported.

Einollahi said in April that many countries in the region are asking Iran for help with issues related to health.

In May, Iran hosted the 26th G5 High-Level Experts Meeting on Health Cooperation and the 1st Healthcare Leadership and Governance Training Program.

G5 countries (Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, plus the World Health Organization) have taken part in the meeting with the theme of “Joint Work for Solving Joint Health Problems.”

Addressing the opening ceremony, Einollahi referred to the unity and cooperation of the countries in the fields of health, treatment, and medical education as a historical necessity.

Achieving, maintaining, and promoting health is never possible in a regional way and does not happen in an isolated region, but requires the cooperation of countries, especially neighboring countries, he stressed.

“To develop health in the countries of the group of five, we must look at health collectively and think about creating and promoting health in all countries.

Iran initiated the establishment of the G5 in 2005 to promote subregional cooperation in health to provide technical support in improving this collaboration.

MT/MG
 

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