Russian health minister proposes that SCO set up medical association

TASHKENT. June 8 (Interfax) - Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko has proposed that a medical association be set up in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

"Covid-19 has proven the unprecedented stability of a healthcare system based on highly professional medical education. Therefore, I would like to propose that SCO members consider the next level of interaction in the field of medical personnel - this is professional cooperation, including the possible establishment of a SCO medical association," Murashko said at the fifth meeting of SCO health ministers in Tashkent on Wednesday.

Medical associations create horizontal links and allow for the discussion and elaboration of treatment methods and medical ethics principles via joint efforts, he said.

As for the efficiency of medical cooperation in the SCO, Murashko underscored the successful containment of Covid-19 and the importance of immunity prophylaxis.

Nine Russian vaccines have been registered and new platforms have been developed for dealing with infectious diseases in recent years, Murashko said.

Russia has been helping its neighbors respond to Covid-19, the minister said. Russian medical teams visited SCO members to help and give consultations to patients. The Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine was approved in 71 countries, and 55 technology transfer agreements were signed, he said.

The SCO health ministers are meeting while Uzbekistan is presiding over the organization.