PM Shehbaz stresses importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the health sector with Turkey

ANKARA, June 02 (SABAH): Turkish Health Minister Dr. Fahrettin Koca called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Ankara on Thursday. During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the health sector.

Prime Minister appreciated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for transforming the health system in Turkey in the last two decades. He recalled several joint initiatives undertaken by the Turkish government in Pakistan in the health sector especially in health services, pharmaceuticals, digital health and training and capacity building of medical professionals.

Prime Minister greatly admired Turkish generosity witnessed during the 2005 Earthquake and 2010 floods. He particularly appreciated the establishment of Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital in Muzaffargarh following massive floods in Pakistan.

While congratulating the commendable handling of COVID-19 by Turkey, the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif noted that the two countries should continue to address health and economic challenges arising from the pandemic and step-up cooperation in vaccine development.

The Prime Minister advised the Turkish-Pakistan Joint Working Group (JWG) on Health to undertake in-depth discussions on various aspects of bilateral health cooperation. He underscored the importance of following up on various initiatives including collaboration in the establishment of pathology labs, enhanced functioning of Pakistan Kidney Liver Institute (PKLI), and automobile ambulances.

Turkish Health Minister highlighted the potential for enhanced collaboration in various aspects of the health field, such as manufacturing of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, health tourism and quality control. He indicated that a team of Turkish Health Ministry will visit Pakistan in the near future. The Health Minister also informed that a “Pak-Medica Expo and Business Forum” will be held in Pakistan in October this year. Meanwhile, it was agreed, that the two sides will remain engaged on agreed areas of cooperation through the Joint Working Group on Health.