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Rutendo Nyeve, Chronicle Reporter

A DELEGATION comprising 11 specialists from the Islamic Republic of Iran arrived in Bulawayo yesterday where they are set to share new techniques and technologies as well as information on health issues with their local counterparts.

The team will be attached at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) and Mpilo Central Hospital during their 10-day stay in the country.

The visit cements the cordial relations between Zimbabwe and Iran which date back to the days of the country’s liberation struggle.

The two countries recently agreed on collaboration in various economic facets under the ambit of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPCC) between the two republics.

Zimbabwe and Iran are also working towards strengthening economic ties to bust sanctions imposed on both countries by the United States and the European Union.

The two countries agreed on partnerships in health policy and health systems management at all levels.

UBH acting chief executive officer Dr Harrison Rambanapasi said the visit by the Iranian doctors is aimed at creating a platform for exchange of ideas in the field of medicine

“We are very happy to receive the delegation of specialist doctors from Iran and I would like to thank the Ministry of Health and Child Care for such an initiative. This is part of a government-to initiative where the two countries are trying to create a platform for exchange of ideas,” he said.

Dr Rambanapasi said the delegation will be working hand in hand with local doctors for the next 10 days at UBH and Mpilo Central Hospital.

“They will be treating patients together with our doctors and in the process exchanging ideas and sharing knowledge. The visit will also help improve our health care delivery,” he said.

Dr Rambanapasi said the initiative will also benefit Bulawayo region and the entire region.

“What we have done at UBH is that we have set aside one theatre which was lying idle and it will be used during the course of this programme and beyond,” he said.

The strong relations between Zimbabwe and Iran will result in exchange programmes for health professionals during which they will share new technologies, conduct training and education programmes and capacity-building.

“The partnership will also see the two nations undertaking bio-medical and health systems research, sharing experiences in health sector reforms in the context of sector-wide approach, decentralisation of health services and coordination of donors and non-governmental organisations,” said Dr Rambanapasi.

The head of the Iran delegation, Dr Seyed Nasser Emadi said the purpose of their visit to Zimbabwe is aimed at strengthening ties and improving the health care delivery system in both countries through knowledge sharing.

“This is an important mission for us because we believe health and safety is not only for Iran or a specific country. The purpose of our visit is to share knowledge and expertise because we believe the health and safety of our people is important and can only be improved when medical practitioners exchange ideas,” he said.

“We also realise that we can work together when we interact with each other physically. Such visits help us understand the challenges faced by our counterparts so that we can be able to see how we can then chip in,” he said.

“We are also expecting Zimbabwean doctors to also come to Iran and have a similar experience.”

The team is comprising Dr Seyed Naser Emadichashmi , a dermatologist, Dr Shokofeh Ahmadi Pour, a paediatrician, Dr Saeid Esmaeilna  and  Dr Ayyoub Barzegarnezhad who are both urologists and Dr Saeed  Golparvara and Dr Hassan Shirdel who are ophthalmologists.

 Others are Dr Nayereh Taheri, Dr Zohreh Roohandeh, Dr Mahdi Mesgarani Torghabeh, Dr Saed Rajab Pour and Dr Saeedeh Ahmadipour.

@nyeve14