Outcome of the visit to Thailand of the Deputy Minister for Health Care Services Provision of Afghanistan in fostering cooperation between Thailand and Afghanistan in the areas of healthcare for mothers and children, as well as family planning
On 31 May — 5 June 2011, Dr. Nadera Hayat Burhani, Deputy Minister for Health Care Services Provision and Dr. Mohammad Tawfiq Mashal, General Director of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan, visited Thailand at the invitation of Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to foster cooperation between Thailand and Afghanistan in the areas of healthcare for mothers and children, as well as in family planning.
The origin of the said visit came about as a result of the awareness of the problem of healthcare for mothers and children in Afghanistan, which at present, transcends as one of the world’s major concerns. In this connection, Thailand, as a country with a policy to promote cooperation with other states to achieve the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in the area of healthcare services which Thailand specializes in, is willing to share her experience and know-how to her fellow friends in need.
In this connection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health, the United Nation Population Fund, Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (UNFPA), the Thai Red Cross Society, the Muslim Women Volunteer Group and the Foundation for Islamic Centre of Thailand jointly arranged the program visit for Dr. Burhani and his delegation.
Firstly, Dr. Burhani paid a courtesy call on Mr. Surapong Jayanama, Advisor to the Foreign Minister, who then hosted a luncheon for him. Dr. Burhani thanked Thailand for the previous assistance rendered to Afghanistan, as well as for extending the invitation for him to visit Thailand on this occasion.
Dr. Burhani then met with Dr. Paijit Worajit, Permanent Secretary for Public Health, as well as Thai experts on health and hygiene, to step up cooperation between Thailand and Afghanistan in the areas of healthcare for women and children, as well as in family planning. He also visited the local medical unit in Bangkok and the hospital in Songkhla Province in Southern Thailand to observe programs relating to hygiene for mothers and children, as well as programs which encourage the utilization of mothers’ milk for infants.
And it was during the visit to Songkla that Dr. Burhani met with Mr. Sak Kriyasaleh, President of the Central Islamic Committee of Songkla Province, as well as the management team of the Central Mosque of Songkla and was briefed on the management and development plans for Muslim related matters in the southern part of Thailand. In this regard, both sides exchanged views on the principles of Islam and the local customs of people of the two countries. Both sides were of the view that the core principle of Islam is in maintaining peace, living with one another without prejudice despite differences in religions and traditions. In this regard, Dr. Burhani admired Thailand‘s freedom to practice religions and beliefs, as well as praised Thailand for the honour given to Thai Muslims to practice Islam and dress according to their religious requirements.
Later, Dr. Burhani called on with Mr. Sawanit Kongsiri, Assistant Secretary General of the Thai Red Cross Society, to exchange information relating to public health and disaster relief management. Dr. Burhani also held a seminar on the “Rights of Women and Children: Healthcare of Women and Children in the Islamic World” at the Nursing College, the Thai Red Cross Society.
After the seminar, Dr. Burhani met with a group of 80 Muslim women volunteers and students, who organized a welcome ceremony for him. In this regard, Dr. Burhani admired the group and told them to help take care of their families and communities, as well as help Thailand, their home country, develop.
To note, since 2004, Thailand gave cooperation assistance to Afghanistan on a continual basis to help alleviate hardship and difficulties within the country, particularly the lack of health care services for the Afghan people. In this regard, Thailand had rendered assistance to Afghanistan in areas of Thai expertise; for example, in agriculture, drug prevention and control, sufficiency economy and human resource development.
For those interested in the speech delivered by Dr. Burhani at the Nursing College, the Thai Red Cross Society, kindly visit http //sameaf.mfa.go.th .
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th