Iran Press/ Iran News: "Preparation of this session was exceptional in many ways, as we had to establish special procedures for the conduct of its deliberations. Now finally, that we have reached this point in time, I am sure, like me, you are all looking forward to taking part in the productive discussions which will take place over the coming two days," said Namaki on Monday at the sixty-seventh session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO).
Namaki noted that during the EMRO session, key technical health issues that are of regional significance were discussed such as the implementation framework on ending preventable newborn, child, and adolescent deaths and improving health and development; strengthening the nursing personnel to advance universal health coverage in the Eastern Mediterranean region; and the introduction of the strategic action framework for the hospital sector.
He noted: "We were gearing our efforts to respond to the pandemic at the very time we did not want to jeopardize the provision of the essential health services, schooling, nutrition, and livelihoods. It was rather a challenge for both policymakers and health workers."
The official added: "COVID-19, which strikes our region very severely, had offered several lessons to be learned at national, regional, and global levels. Leadership, solidarity, community engagement, intersectoral collaborations, evidence-based interventions, and inter-country coordination are necessary instruments for pandemic management. Besides, we have to strengthen the IT infrastructure to provide more reliable data and Tele-medicine and Tele-education in the new era."
Iran's health minister noted: "Meanwhile, unilateral coercive measures may not only hamper effective interventions in combating the pandemic but in general terms, will hinder our global goals and regional commitment to achieve Universal Health Coverage."
"WHO has the central role in global coordination of activities to fight and manage the disease," he said.
Namaki stated: "Together we could overcome the pandemic, and in this sustained fight, our brave and dedicated health professionals and community health workers have offered a critical role."
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