Syrian-Iraqi MoU on health signed

The memo of understanding signed Tuesday between the Syrian Scientific Council for pharmaceutical industries and Iraqi Ministry of Health included encouraging the Syrian medicinal investment in Iraq and establishing joint bioequivalence study centers. The memo stipulates for considering the Syrian pharmaceutical industries as a strategic depth for the Iraqi medicinal market, particularly in emergency cases. The memo also included deepening the scientific cooperation in the field of medicine, particularly in  organizing joint scientific symposia and conferences, exchanging expertise and holding technical training courses. Chairman of the Council Dr. Zuhair Fadloun and Inspector General in the Iraqi Ministry of Health Adel Abdul-Muhsen signed the memo in the presence of Minister of Health Wael al-halqi. The Minister underlined the importance of benefiting from cooperation spheres between Syria and Iraq in the health domain in a way that could be positively reflected on the health reality of both countries. Abdul-Muhsen said that Iraq imports 90% of its medicinal needs; thus, this agreement will open the door for the Syrian factories to export their products to Iraq. In another context, Minister of health on Tuesday discussed with a delegation of Italian companies' representatives means of cooperation in equipping Aleppo and Homs oncology centers. Al-Halqi said that the Ministry in cooperation with European Investment Bank and Curie institute for oncology, pointing out to the importance of operating the two centers as soon as possible. For their parts, members of the Italian delegation expressed their readiness to cooperate in the equipping the two centers after reviewing all the details related.