ANKARA, Turkey: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation with Turkey in the Health Sector.
Talking to the Turkish Health Minister Dr. Fahrettin Koca in Ankara on Thursday, the prime minister appreciated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for transforming the health system in Turkey in the last two decades.
Shahbaz Sharif 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.
The prime minister greatly admired the 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 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.
Shahbaz Sharif 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.
The 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.
Dr. Fahrettin Koca 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 2022.
Meanwhile, it was agreed, that the two sides will remain engaged on agreed areas of cooperation through the Joint Working Group on Health.
