Syrian Ministry of Health experts learn from Iran’s successful immunization programme supported by Iran’s Ministry of Health and UNICEF Iran office

A group of 18 Ministry of Health experts from Syria and two experts from UNICEF Syria Office completed a training course on vaccine and cold chain management in Hamedan from 10 to 18th July 2016 in a joint cooperation between UNICEF Iran, UNICEF Syria and Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The training was based on a request from Syria’s Ministry of Health to learn from the successful experiences of the immunization programme in the Islamic Republic of Iran, AVA Diplomatic reports.

The Syrian delegation received their certificates for successfully accomplishing the course in a ceremony held on 18th July 2016 in the bureau of Centre for Disease Control (CDC) at the Ministry of Health in Tehran with the presence of Director General of CDC, Dr Mohammad Mehdi Gouya, Head of Department for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Dr. Seyed Mohsen Zahraei, UNICEF Iran Representative, Dr. Will Parks and WHO Representative in Iran, Dr Sameen Siddiqi.

In the wrap-up ceremony, Director General of Iran’s CDC, Dr. Gouya, handed the certificates to participants and wished them further success in their immunization programme for Syrian children in this highly sensitive time for their country. He said: “The Ministry of Health in Iran is ready to provide similar trainings on vaccine management and immunization for other countries in the region and offer its successful practices as required.”

UNICEF Iran Representative, Dr. Will Parks congratulated the Syrian delegation for completing this intensive course and said: “Our hearts and prayers are with the people and Government of Syria at this very difficult time.”

In this ceremony, Syrian participants expressed their gratitude and full satisfaction of the course materials and field visits and thanked UNICEF Iran and Iran’s Ministry of Health for their efforts and facilitation of the process. They also thanked the course instructors, two international experts from Iraq and Oman as well as a seasoned expert in immunization and vaccination, Mr. Mojtaba Haghgou, who coordinated the workshop.

The workshop helped participants to enhance their technical skills and capacity on vaccine management, through a combination of theoretical sessions and field visits to Iran’s successful immunization and cold chain programme.