TEHRAN – Jaffar Hussain, the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Iran, has said the indicators and accomplishments of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) are remarkable and unique in the region and even the world.

“I am deeply impressed by the standards of health, healthcare, and treatment in Iran, not based on my personal point of view, but based on WHO and global standards”, he stressed.

He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Fifth International Congress on Blood Transfusion Medicine, IRNA reported.

The congress aimed to showcase the capabilities and achievements of the country on a global scale.

The event provides a good opportunity for the participants to gain insight into Iran's unparalleled advancement in healthcare in the region and the world, he said.

Certain departments of the blood transfusion organization are particularly involved in reforming medical and health services, which presents a great opportunity for participating experts from foreign countries to benefit from training courses.

Regarding the services provided by Iran to Afghan refugees,  the official said, “In addition to the 85 million population, the Islamic Republic of Iran officially hosts 5 million refugees, who receive many health and medical services free of charge.”

 “I am strongly influenced by Iran's blood transfusion system, which is very special and unique in the Eastern Mediterranean and West Asia. The system is renowned worldwide and boasts impressive institutional capacities,” Hussain added.

Lauding Iran's efforts to expand health in the region, the official mentioned the participants in the congress are very well aware of Iran's capabilities and all the information published by Iran in this field is clear.

Hussain highlighted that Iran is a WHO member and adheres to WHO's Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which aims to improve health and wellbeing levels. In fact, the country plays an effective role in promoting UHC.

Iran has adopted UHC as a common goal and strives to provide these facilities for those who do not have adequate access to health or cannot afford treatment costs.

Being a disaster-prone country,  experiencing floods, earthquakes, and other hazards, there is always a need for blood in the country. In this regard, the IBTO has implemented great measures and created many facilities that are very vital.

Hosting this international congress, Iran shares its expertise with the whole world.

The official went on to talk about the G5+1 group comprised of five members including Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Tajikistan along with WHO, which was established last year at the initiative of Iran.

Under Iran’s supervision, efforts are being made to engage with the health ministries of the mentioned countries and provide them with health services.

Sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic of Iran has posed problems in transferring technology so these countries need to be self-sufficient in technology, he further noted.

Nevertheless, the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization formed educational, research, and service working groups in the field of blood transfusion medicine and offers these programs to the regional, and G5+ 1 countries.

Supplying rare blood groups, nationally and internationally,  has been one of the most effective measures of Iran, which proves the efforts of the country to expand health and medical services in the region.

Referring to the West Asia condition, the official underscored, "Health and treatment in the region is highly sensitive. There are a large number of refugees and displaced people, and the mortality rate is high among infants, children, and adults.

A new program under the title of South-South Cooperation (SSC) has been defined which highlights the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge in healthcare among neighboring countries free from sanctions.

Covid-19 pandemic has shown that no country is an island,  effective cooperation and coordination are needed to develop health, well-being, and medical services, the official concluded.

5th intl. transfusion medicine congress

The two-day scientific event started in Tehran yesterday. It demonstrates the knowledge and capabilities of the Blood Transfusion Organization and the High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine (IRETM), Bashir Haji-Beigi, an official with IBTO who is also the executive chairperson of the congress, said.

It was the fifth experience of hosting a major scientific event at the international level in the field of blood transfusion medicine, a testament to the abilities and proficiencies of specialists in this field and the efficiency of Iran's blood transfusion system, the health ministry's website reported.

The IBTO and the IRETM have been selected as research training partners of the World Health Organization for multiple consecutive periods. With the cooperation of the WHO, they have contributed to the development of the knowledge and skills of the regional countries in establishing an efficient blood transfusion system.

"The congress serves as a platform to introduce scientific standing, capabilities, and achievements of the country in the field of blood transfusion medicine on a global scale. It provides an opportunity to learn from the participants' experiences and knowledge, as well," he added.

The main objective of the congress includes sharing the latest research findings and scientific achievements among the participants, blood transfusion organizations, institutions, and regional countries, the official noted.

Scientific analysis of management in blood transfusion centers, blood banks, and medical centers, improving blood transfusion work processes through information exchange among blood transfusion centers and blood banks of Iran and regional countries, enhancing the attitude and performance of clinical and laboratory specialists in medical centers in transfusion medicine were among the expected outcomes of the congress.

Participants from 30 countries of the world attended the international congress and some 100 abstracts were submitted.

More than 15 speakers from Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Oman, Nepal, Italy, and Egypt were scheduled to deliver speeches both in person and online.

Moreover, research posters by Iranian and foreign students and specialists were showcased to help participants learn about new research findings more effectively.

Over 50 professors and academic staff members of the IRETM and universities across the country  cooperated as members of the scientific steering committee, scientific committee, scientific reviewers, executive committee, and student committee.

MT/MG