adminmedicines worth over US$20 000 to the Mt Darwin District Hospital.
“Iran has used its indigenous knowledge and skills to reach its current levels of development, and we believe that Zimbabwe can draw strength from our experience in the implementation of the indigenisation programme,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Saviour Kasukuwere said the strong bilateral ties between the two countries had helped Zimbabwe through the phase of Western-imposed sanctions.
“It is through friends such as Iran that Zimbabwe has managed to move forward despite the sanctions.
“Iran has extended knowledge in scientific research, which we are bearing witness to. Therefore, there is need for greater co-operation in terms of exchange of this knowledge, youth development and other areas,” he said.
This is the second such donation by Iran to the same hospital in several months after it initially donated medicines worth around US$9 000 last year.
The district’s medical officer, Dr George Mapiya, said the procurement of the medicines is expected to go a long way in improving health service delivery at the hospital.
Both donations have been facilitated through the co-operation of the Clinic of Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has since set up an office in the same district.
Clinic of Red Crescent Society in Zimbabwe manager Dr Amin Hamidzadeh said his organisation’s aim was to enhance health service delivery in outlaying areas.
“The donations and the setting up of the Clinic of Red Crescent Society in Zimbabwe in this town is part of our broader goal to bring effective and cost-efficient health services to this community,” he said.
Zimbabwe and Iran have traditionally strong bilateral relations, and – among other areas of co-operation are in the process of setting up a Zimbabwe-Iran tractor-assembly point.
Online Reporter