Iran proposes regional plan, combating COVID -19: Health Minister

Tehran (IP) - Iranian Health Minister has said that the country suggested a regional meeting via video conferencing to get the approval of all regional health ministries and their commitment to combat COVID -19 and its implementation.

Iran PressIran news: Saeed Namaki said that the framework of the proposed plan includes risk communication and community engagement, governance, and health security.

He said: "The plan requires active, committed, and regular contact and follow-up in a joint manner to combat COVID -19."  

"Further, taking into consideration the high impact of emergencies in the EMR (Eastern Mediterranean Region), WHO may improve its presence by strengthening sub-regional managerial capacity to support member states," Namaki added. 

5G collaboration activated

"The idea of G5 in our sub-region, where Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are working together should be expanded in different parts of the region," he said.

Iran's Health Minister added that collaboration must come up with strengthening preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and hopefully continue to ensure universal access to essential health services through consolidating primary health care and active engagement of the community besides intersectoral collaboration. 

Considering multi-dimensional mode of response to COVID-19, Namaki added: "I urge EMRO to coordinate the action points in close collaboration with UN Residential Coordination and relevant UN agencies such as United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCHR), and World Food Programme (WFP)."

"We are honored to announce that our immunization rate alongside other main essential health service has been maintained efficiently across all 31 provinces," he said, referring to the infection rate in Iran.

Saeed Namaki, Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education of Iran on Tuesday also held a virtual meeting with 'Ahmad Al-Mandhari' Regional Director of the World Health Organization and the Ministers of Health of the Eastern Mediterranean region.

WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al-Mandhari stressed on sharing the experiences gained during coronavirus pandemic. 

Al-Mandhari also emphasized to share the most effective approaches to ease lockdown and constructive measures to avoid COVID- 19.

Other regional health ministries discussed the best possible approaches to contain coronavirus. They all agreed that no country can combat the virus solely, it needs collaboration and cooperation. 

Regional health ministers meeting via video conference was held at the health ministry on August 11th, 2020.        207/219

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