Pakistan, Iran vow to boost health sector cooperation at SCO Conference in China

In a significant diplomatic engagement on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Health Ministers’ Conference in China, Pakistan’s Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal held a key meeting with his Iranian counterpart to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the health sector.

Calling Iran a "brotherly neighbour" with "deep and friendly ties" to Pakistan, Kamal emphasised that both nations are working with renewed energy to strengthen collaboration across healthcare fields.

The meeting placed a special focus on health tourism and telemedicine — two rapidly growing areas that both sides agreed to prioritise.

"Work is progressing rapidly under an integrated strategy to promote telemedicine," Kamal said, highlighting how Pakistan is leveraging modern technologies to widen healthcare access.

Both ministers also stressed the need for joint measures to control infectious diseases, particularly along shared borders.

"Diseases have no borders," Kamal noted gravely, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to implementing international health regulations to safeguard public health.

The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge: Pakistan and Iran will continue deepening ties in the health sector, ensuring that collaboration brings tangible benefits to the people of both nations.