Afghanistan Wahaaj Hospital and Zahedan University of Medical Sciences to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to promote medical tourism

د افغانستان وهاج روغتون او د زاهدان طبی علومو پوهنتون د طبی ګرځندوی د ودې لپاره د تفاهم لیک لاسلیک کوی

Report from: Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, International Affairs Office

Published on: September 1, 2024

Zahedan University of Medical Sciences and Wahaaj Hospital of Afghanistan to sign a memorandum of understanding in with the aim of offering medical services to patients from Afghanistan and boosting cooperation between medical professionals serving across Afghanistan.

According to the public relations report, Dr. Habib Ghaznavi, Chancellor of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, while referring to the infrastructure and medical facilities of this university for providing curative and diagnostic services to the national and international patients, said on the sidelines of the visit of the Head of Wahaaj Hospital of Afghanistan, Dr. Mohammad Hashem Wahhaj: "The health issues are transnational and transregional issues and do not know geographical boundaries."

He added: “If people in the neighboring countries are willing to use the medical services provided by medical universities located in this province, obviously they will not be denied”, and in this regard, the Head of the Wahaaj Hospital of Afghanistan called for joint collaboration with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences during his visit to Zahedan.

According to Dr. Ghaznavi; In line with the inherent and social responsibility of medical universities, ZAUMs announced its readiness for expanding collaborations in the field of health tourism and implementing joint measures with friendly and neighboring country of Afghanistan in addressing public health challenges and offering treating services to Afghanistan nationals.

He maintained: “Afghan nationals travel a lot to Sistan and Balouchestan Province, and considering the language and cultural and other commonalities between the two countries, the improvement of health indicators in this country has a direct relationship with the health of the people of this province”.

The Chancellor of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences added: "During these visits, we reached initial agreements, which were decided to be officially signed by the two parties after completing the demands and requests of the parties in the form of a memorandum of understanding."

The Head of Afghanistan's Wahaaj Hospital also said: “Zahedan University of Medical Sciences has good capacity and capabilities in the field of health and treatment, and considering that many patients from Afghanistan travel to Sistan and Balouchestan Province, treatment services provided by ZAUMs can reduce the worries of patients and families and the expense incurred on the patients for receiving those services.

He added: “Another potential in this university is the establishment of the international student admissions department, which is of interest for young Afghans who can take full advantage of this unique opportunity”.

Dr. Seyed Mohammad Hashem Wahhaj expressed his hope that with the conclusion of this memorandum, an effective step will be taken in boosting medical services in Afghanistan and expanding bilateral cooperations.

It is worth mentioning that with the enhancement of medical infrastructure, the conditions for attracting medical tourists have been facilitated at Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.

According to the Public Relations report, Dr. Mohammad Kazem Momeni, the Vice Chancellor for Treatment Affairs at ZAUMS, announced the university's readiness to attract health tourists. He stated that due to the proximity of Sistan and Baluchestan Province to the two countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the issuance of IPD certificate for the Ali Ibn Abitalib (PBUH), Al-Zahra (SA) Eye Hospital, and Mirjaveh Daro-shefa Hospital, to provide services such as various surgical operations, eye treatments, cochlear implants, infertility treatments, and maternity services, the conditions for attracting health tourists in Zahedan have been facilitated.

He also mentioned that a contract has been signed with Kosar Insurance Company as the exclusive insurance agent for Iran's electronic visa (E-VISA). He added that this measure can lead to the improvement of medical services and facilitate the payment process for patients with Iran's E-VISA in the IPD wards of the university. It will also help the better recognition of the university's international treatment units and the insurance coverage process has been facilitated for people from neighboring countries to access these services.

Dr. Momeni further stated that with the enhancement of infrastructure in the university's hospitals, an opportunity has been created for the development of health tourism in this region of the country. By leveraging the unique advantage of the border, the university aims to take steps towards the advancement of health tourism.

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