Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Damascus, SANA – Prime Minister Wael al-Halaqi discussed with Director-General of Islamic Doctors without Borders establishment in Iran Mohammad Hassan Niknam cooperation between Syria and Iran in the health sector, particularly in the field of training medical staff and supplying mobile clinics for the country.
Al-Halaqi stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries in all fields, particularly the health sector, highlighting the need for activating the role of global health organizations in the times of wars and natural disasters, in addition to combating communicable diseases and protecting children from diseases.
He also briefed Niknam on the repercussions of the terrorist war on the health sector and the government’s efforts in terms of improving this sector.
For his part, Niknam talked about his establishment’s activities in providing health services and offering help during wars and disasters around the world, lauding the Syrian government’s efforts to bolster the health sector and provide the requirements of the Syrian people in light of the unjust economic sanctions imposed on them.
In a similar meeting with Niknam, Deputy Prime Minister for Services Affairs, Local Administration Minister Omar Ghalawanji affirmed on Monday that the government is continuing to offer the necessary vital services to citizens in all service sectors, especially the health sector which is the most affected by the terrorist acts and the unjust economic blockade imposed on Syria and its people.
Ghalawanji, who also chairs the Higher Committee for Relief, said that the pharmaceutical industry in Syria is still operating at an acceptable capacity despite the difficult conditions, adding that 14 plants out of 20 pharmaceutical plants which were destroyed by terrorists had been rehabilitated.
He pointed out that the government allotted SYP 700 million for the urgent plan of the Health Ministry in 2016 to ensure the continuation of the implementation of its most important projects.
Ghalawanji called on the acting parties in the humanitarian and relief fields and national and international partners, in coordination with the Higher Committee for Relief, to prepare intensive programs to provide the needs of displaced citizens in terms of shelter, food, health, educational services, and social protection programs, mainly in makeshift housing center which number over 500.
In turn, Niknam said that his visit to Syria aims at learning about the work of the Committee and discussing cooperation in the health field, which will contribute to boosting the sector and improving the services it provides.
Niknam also met Health Minister Nizar Yazigi, with the two sides discussing cooperation prospects in the health sector and exchanging scientific and technical expertise between the two sides.
Yazigi affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to pursuing cooperation with the establishment, pointing out to the unjust and unilateral economic measures imposed on Syria which impact on the Ministry’s efforts to import specific types of medicine, vaccines, medical supplies, spare parts, and other medical equipment.
In turn, the Iranian official expressed the establishment’s readiness to cooperate with the Syrian Health Ministry, mainly in the fields of medical supplies and prosthetics.
Rasha Milhem / Manar al-Freih / Hazem Sabbagh
