Tehran – Malkazi’s key health authorities have explored opportunities to work with the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the state’s looming health challenges, including road traffic injuries and the heavy burden of air pollution.
The WHO Country Office of the Islamic Republic of Iran held a virtual meeting with the University of Medical Sciences in Arak, the major health authorities in Markazi, and the University of Medical Sciences in Medical Sciences, which was announced in a press release on June 10th.
The conference was convened at the request of Javad Nazari, Prime Minister of Arak University of Medical Sciences, and aimed to showcase technical support for healthy urban programs and initiatives to address social determinants of health through primary health care.
Opening the session, Nazari outlined the major causes of mortality and health inequality in the state. He praised the longstanding support for strengthening the Iranian health system, discussed at the Health Diplomacy Workshop held on Quish Island between May 14th and 15th, 2025, and referred to health priorities.
Sayed Jafar Hussein, director of missions for the Islamic Republic of Iran, reaffirmed that he was prepared to provide technical support to the Ministry of Health, Medical Education, University of Health Sciences, and local health authorities, promoting health equity through inter-sectoral collaboration and active community engagement. He acknowledged the strong political will demonstrated by local leadership, noting that the participation of the prime ministers of the three universities is a testament to their dedication.
Iran has achieved notable advances in health. We achieved lessons that can be shared across the region.
In this session, a presentation by Sedyghe Saravati from the secretariat of Iran’s second city, Maragheh Healthy City, has been recognized by the WHO under the Healthy Cities programme. She presented Maragheh’s success story as a model for how intersectoral collaboration and community involvement improve urban health.
Dr. Rahim Taghizade Asulu, Iran, introduced national protocols and pilot projects focused on addressing social determinants of health through primary health care, highlighting integration as a complementary element of these efforts.
The head of the WHO WHO WHO’s Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) unit in Afshin Ostovar, Iran, highlighted technical support for NCD risk reduction, tobacco control under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), and strategies to reduce road traffic injuries. He highlighted the importance of a multifaceted approach, including safer vehicles, improving infrastructure, changing behavior, enforcing road safety laws and strengthening care after a crash.
Healthy City Program
Those who recognize cities as key operational partners in addressing health determinants and addressing public health needs and essential services, particularly vulnerable groups.
The WHO Healthy City Initiative is expanding community resources that continuously create and improve these physical and social environments, enabling people to support each other in performing all the functions of their lives and developing their greatest potential.
Healthy urban networks for health and welfare and urban governance are strategic actions that synergize both approaches to address health determinants and promote inclusive and equitable cities.
The initiative was intended to support the country in meeting Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Happiness), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 17 (Goal Partnerships).
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