Pakistan-Turkey relations 'growing' in health sector

By Fatma Bulbul

ISTANBUL (AA) - The multi-faceted relationship between Pakistan and Turkey continues to flourish in diverse fields including the health sector, according to Pakistan's ambassador to Turkey.

According to a written statement released Thursday by the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara, Sohail Mahmood’s remarks came during a visit by a 8-member delegation from the Punjab Public Health Authority led by its Chief Executive Officer Dr. Shabnam Sarfraz, who are currently visiting Turkey in order to learn from its "successful experience in health transformation".

Mahmood praised the "deep historical and cultural roots" of Pakistan-Turkey relations and their "steady growth" in all domains including political, economic, investment, defense, cultural and educational fields.

"The newest area of collaboration is the health sector,” he said, adding improved and efficient health services had had a positive effect on the lives of disadvantaged people in particular.

He went on to say that the leadership in both countries were committed to supporting reform initiatives in Pakistan's health sector, recalling a memorandum of understanding signed between the two governments last August for closer cooperation in this field.

The delegation is, among other things, studying disease surveillance and response system in Turkey, according to the statement.

"In the recent past, considerable progress has been made in benefiting from Turkey’s knowledge and practices in improved service delivery in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare; pilot design of family health system; health emergency response; hospital management; and nursing and paramedic education and training," the statement said.

It added that over the past few months, several Pakistani delegations had visited the country for short-term training and capacity-building.