KATHMANDU, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Health ministers of South Asian countries have called for enhanced cooperation on various health issues, including safeguarding the health of migrants.
The ministers, who gathered at a meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Sri Lanka from Thursday to Saturday, adopted "Colombo Declaration -- Calling for accelerated progress on key Regional Health Issues," according to a statement received here Monday.
The declaration made recommendations on cooperation on important areas related to public health such as Vector-Borne Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Nutrition, Sanitation, traditional systems of medicines and Human Resources for Health, the statement said.
The Declaration also agreed to collaborate at a regional level to safeguard the health of migrants.
SAARC is a regional body established in 1985 which comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
SAARC's Secretary General Amjad Hussain B. Sial, has also proposed to establish a South Asian Medical University with the SAARC member states which could enable South Asian students to study medicine within the region at affordable cost, according to the statement.
The Secretary General urged every attempt be made to reach out to the poor with basic health facilities at affordable prices saying this should be a priority for SAARC.
Sri Lankan Health Minister Dr. Sandamali Senaratne pointed out that non-communicable diseases, malnutrition and tuberculosis are identified as major health issues facing the people of South Asia.
