In a joint meeting, President of Abadan University of Medical Sciences and Iraqi Ambassador to Iran addressed the issue of developing medical tourism in Arvand Free Zone and reached a general consensus.
In this meeting, held at Abadan Karvansara Hotel, Dr. Amouzandeh, President of Abadan University of Medical Sciences, and Rageh Saber Abbood Al-Musawi, Iraqi Ambassador to Iran, addressed the promotion of mutual cooperation in health, education, treatment, and medical tourism in Arvand Free Zone and reached a general consensus, reported a Web Da correspondent from Abadan.
Later on in this meeting, Dr. Amouzandeh said the arrangements had been made for the establishment and operation of a joint office in Iraq to improve the quality of medical tourism, so Iraqi patients could be organized and referred to public and private healthcare centers.
Touching on the close affinity between Abadan University of Medical Sciences and College of Medicine of University of Basrah, Dr. Amouzandeh said: ‘We concluded an agreement for educating and training 30 Iraqi medical students, and we are able to enroll Iraqi students in other fields of study.’
Dr. Amouzandeh, indicating the favorable answer of Iranian Minister of Health and Medical Education to the cooperation of Iran and Iraq, added, proper solutions are under discussion for the development in health area, especially regarding the establishment of a joint Iran-Iraq pharmaceutical company.
Saber Abbood Al-Musawi said: ‘Affinity between Iran and Iraq is second to none, and we could never even think of having such an affinity with another country; Iran Supreme Leader is a blessing for the region and we all are fully aware of this matter. His Eminency Iran Supreme Leader has always mentioned that Iraq is dear and valuable to Iran.’
We seek greater cooperation in all areas, especially health area, he added.
Iraqi Ambassador, indicating their desire to widely propagate health and medical tourism, added: ‘We would like the public sector to take action in organizing Iranian patients’ referral so as to inhibit any profiteering in this area.’
He also said he believes profiteers should not be allowed to do harm to medical tourism; consequently, medical tourism will grow and develop in Arvand Free Zone.
Abbood Al-Musawi suggested if Iraqi patients are assured of health quality in Iran, Arvand Free Zone will need more than 10 public and private hospitals.
He affirmed he is completely ready to offer any help for the development of medical tourism, and peripheral, inconsequential issues should not make Iran and Iraq apart. For instance, the establishment of joint hospitals and pharmaceutical companies will be a step forward.
It deserves mention Dr. Mohammad Noori, Deputy of Education, Research, and Technology, and Mr. Safaeeyan, the university adviser on medical tourism, accompanied the President of Abadan University of Medical Sciences.