Male, Apr 12: Seeking collaboration among SAARC countries in health care sector, India today said that a strong and vibrant public health care system can cope with the enormous challenges emanating from demographic and epidemiological transition in the region.
 "We should collaborate amongst ourselves to find our own concrete solutions which are feasible, cost effective and suitable for our region," Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said addressing the 4th Health Ministers' conference at the Maldivian capital here today.
 The Minister added that full advantage should be taken of the strength and vibrancy of SAARC in addressing the common health problems of the region.
 The President of Maldives Mohammed Waheed inaugurated the Health Ministers' Conference.
 Taking note of the large burden of communicable diseases and unacceptably high levels of maternal and child mortality particularly India and Pakistan, Azad stated that adopting a comprehensive strategy for Diseases Surveillance for Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases is the need of the hour.
 It is of paramount importance to develop and put in place a comprehensive strategy for surveillance, early detection and response to such diseases and infections, he emphasized.
 Among the strategies discussed during the Health Ministers' Conference include capacity-building, effective response, laboratory support, information sharing, cross border collaboration, monitoring and research. 
 Azad suggested that Health Ministers of the region meet more often to deliberate upon a selected theme or subject of common interest and agree on an action plan.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST