WHO Reiterates Commitment to Help Iran in Sanctions Era

The WHO’s three strategic goals are to achieve universal health coverage, address health emergencies, and promote healthier populations that will directly contribute to enhanced social protection and cohesion in all countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, Christoph Hamelmann said during an international gathering in the southern city of Shiraz, Fars province. 

War and conflicts are major causes for global death, lack of access to health systems, and the spread of contagious diseases and psychological traumas, he added.

“The International Health Regulations play an important role for health, peace, and security and we encourage and support all member states in their commitment and obligation to implement them as signatories," Hamelmann said.

The Representative of the WHO said, “We understand our role as advocate for the basic human right to health and a life in peace, security and protection, as one important voice of the United Nation family in a world of increasing conflict affecting in particular the most vulnerable populations, whether this in a context of sanctions, of armed conflicts or even direct attacks on the health workforce in humanitarian settings”.

 The International Congress on Health for Peace that has been hosted by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in collaboration with the Health and Medical Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran brought together a considerable number of medical experts and representatives from foundations and practitioners active in the realm of health from WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, International Committee of the Red Cross and some non-governmental international organizations.

Trump's administration has re-imposed sanctions against Iran's banking and energy sectors with the aim of cutting off the country's oil sales and crucial exports.

A first round of American sanctions took effect in August and the second round on Nov. 5.