Malaysian health minister to visit Jordan, Iraq
Iraq-Malaysia, Politics, 3/8/2001

Malaysian health minister, Chua Jui Meng, will lead a 40-member delegation for a six-day visit to Jordan and Iraq starting March 13, reports Malaysian news agency (BERNAMA).

The delegation will spend two days in Jordan and four days in Iraq.

In conjunction with the visit, a private company "Television Airtime Services Malaysia" will also bring 40 Malaysian children to Iraq.

Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur Thursday, Chua said the delegation would include senior officials of the ministry as well as representatives from local universities, Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM), medical equipment and pharmaceutical companies and Muslim Doctors Association of Malaysia.

He said the visit would assess health services in Iraq.

"This way we can determine what they need and try to help them out. We know that they are behind in providing health services to the people due to the economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations since 1990," he said.

In 1993, Malaysia provided US$66,000 worth of medicines to Iraq.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Said Al Sahah paid a three-day visit to Malaysia early last month.

"The ambassador of Iraq reaffirmed on Wednesday that Malaysia has a special relationship with Iraq. Our leaders have been good friends of Iraq at times of difficulties and they do appreciate that," said Chua.

On the visit to Jordan, he said Jordan had expressed willingness to work together with Malaysia in setting up a joint college or university in allied health sciences.

Chua said the move would benefit both countries as they needed more skilled manpower in physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

The visit would also enable Malaysian private sector to scout investment and trade opportunities in Iraq such as in the fields of pharmaceuticals, medicine and medical equipment, he said.

Chua said the visit was expected to result in cooperation in joint training programs, exhibitions, scientific seminars and hosting of joint conferences.

"I will discuss the matter with the Iraqi Health Minister and possibly make arrangement for their specialists to come here and place them in hospitals and some institutions.

"This will expose them to latest methods of treatment used in Malaysia," he said.

Previous Stories:
  Malaysia's foreign minister arrives in Amman   (5/30/2000)
  Malaysia denounces economic sanctions on Iraq   (1/14/2000)
  Malaysia backs Iraqi demand to lift sanctions   (1/12/2000)

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