The 8th Organization of Islamic Cooperation Health Ministers Conference was held in Jordan.

This year's OIC 8th Health Ministers' Conference, convened under the theme "Health is Our Common Responsibility," aims to strengthen solidarity in the field of health in the Islamic world, produce sustainable solutions to common challenges, and enhance the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms among member countries. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey was represented at the conference by Dr. Aziz Alper Biten, Director General of EU and Foreign Relations, and his accompanying delegation.

As a leading member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Turkey is among the countries that guide the organization's work and shape its vision. Currently serving as the OIC Chairman, Turkey actively strives to strengthen solidarity among Islamic countries in numerous areas, particularly health, develop people-centered policies, and establish a just and inclusive understanding of development on a global scale.

Turkey is a leading country in the "Strengthening Health Systems" category of six thematic areas identified under the OIC Health Strategic Action Program (OIC-SHPA), the OIC's umbrella document on health. In line with this responsibility, Turkey is undertaking significant efforts to strengthen health infrastructure, develop human resources, increase access to health services, establish emergency preparedness systems, and share best practices among member countries. Furthermore, Türkiye's progress in health care in recent years is considered a role model by many OIC member countries.

Common will and solidarity were emphasized

The conference addressed issues such as the challenges faced by healthcare systems in the Islamic world, access to healthcare during disasters and wars , pandemic preparedness, and public health protection. Furthermore, the devastating public health impacts of humanitarian crises across the Islamic world, particularly the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, were highlighted, emphasizing the shared will and solidarity needed to resolve these challenges.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the world's second-largest international organization after the United Nations, comprises 57 member countries spread across four continents. As one of its founding and active members, Turkey continues to strongly support the organization's goals of peace, solidarity, and development.

"No country's health security can be considered independently of another"

Dr. Aziz Alper Biten, representing Türkiye at the conference, emphasized in his speech that strengthening health systems is not only a development goal but also a humanitarian responsibility, stating that no country's health security can be considered independently of another's.

Dr. Biten also stated that Türkiye is open to sharing knowledge, experience, and technology, emphasizing that healthcare is a fundamental human right and that this right must be provided equally to everyone. Concluding his speech by highlighting the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, Dr. Biten stated that Türkiye will continue to stand with the Palestinian people under all circumstances and represent the collective conscience of the Islamic world.

Biten stated that health is a universal human right and that this right should be provided equally to everyone, and emphasized that expectations from health systems should not be limited to service delivery alone.

Biten stated that healthcare systems must play an active role in production, innovation, and technology development. With this understanding, he explained that Türkiye has launched a program called "Productive Health System." He also explained that the primary goal of this program is to support ideas emerging during healthcare delivery and transform them into innovative products and solutions.

"Türkiye is open to sharing knowledge, experience and technology"

Dr. Biten reminded that the Islamic world faces similar challenges in accessing new technologies and strengthening resilient supply chains, emphasizing the importance of developing effective cooperation models among Islamic countries. He emphasized Türkiye's openness to sharing knowledge, experience, and technology, and stated that Turkey is always ready to contribute and collaborate in these joint efforts.

Concluding his speech by drawing attention to the human tragedy in Gaza, Dr. Biten stated that Türkiye will continue to stand with the Palestinian people under all circumstances and represent the collective conscience of the Islamic world.

The Amman Declaration was adopted.

At the conference's conclusion, the Amman Declaration was adopted, signed by the heads of delegations of all member countries. This declaration represents a strong political commitment to strengthening cooperation and solidarity in the field of health across the Islamic world, developing common health policies, and achieving inclusive health development goals.