PN Report
Istanbul : D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation Secretary-General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood called for enhanced health cooperation and resilient health systems while delivering keynote remarks at the 12th Turkish Medical World Congress.
Held from 29-31 October under the auspices of the Turkish Presidency, organized by the Ministry of Health and Health Institutes of Türkiye (TÜSEB), the Congress themed “Resilient Health Systems in the Face of Global Health Threats” brought together over 2,000 participants including health ministers, officials, scientists and medical professionals, prominently Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar.
Ambassador Mahmood congratulated Türkiye on the 103rd anniversary of the Republic and commended Health Minister Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu’s Productive Health Model and TÜSEB’s contributions. He highlighted global health threats from pandemics, climate-induced disasters and armed conflicts, stressing solidarity, preparedness and resilient systems.
He underlined D-8 health cooperation, noting member states’ complementary strengths including Türkiye’s capabilities in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, digital health and AI. He called for cooperation in R&D, reducing external dependence, technology transfer, joint production, digital health and AI to ensure affordable, sustainable healthcare.
He recalled the First D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Health in Cairo in November 2025 and its Health Cooperation Framework Declaration, and highlighted the Second Ministerial Meeting to be hosted by Türkiye in 2027 as an opportunity to upscale cooperation.
The Congress featured sessions on healthcare innovation, AI, biotechnology, cancer research, personalized medicine and emerging technologies. On 31 October, the Secretary-General attended the TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Awards Ceremony where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented awards.
On the sidelines, he met Minister Memişoğlu to discuss preparations for the 2027 meeting and met Somalia’s Health Minister Dr. Ali Haji Adam Abubakar to discuss cooperation. He also interacted with Nobel Laureate Prof. Sancar.
He thanked Türkiye for excellent arrangements and reaffirmed D-8 commitment to practical partnerships for resilient, inclusive and sustainable health systems.
