Panel Discussion on ‘NGOs Involvement in the Improvement of Health Services in OIC Member States’ during the 5th ICHM
Date: 18 November 2015
Venue: Istanbul - Türkiye

During the 5th Islamic Conference of Health Ministers held in Istanbul, Turkey on 17-19 November 2015, SESRIC facilitated a panel discussion on “NGOs Involvement in the Improvement of Health Services in OIC Member States”.

The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Insaf Hag-Mousa from Qatar Red Crescent, and five panellists from different NGOs participated in the panel discussion, namely, Dr. Kerem Kınık from Doctors Worldwide, Turkey, Mr. Ehsan Bin Saleh Tayeb from Islamic Relief Organization, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Enes Efendioğlu from Civil Life Association, Dr. Tanveer Zubairi from the Federation of Islamic Medical Association, and Mr. M. Hamid H. Azad from Muslim Aid.

Dr. Insaf Hag-Mousa started the discussion by briefing the audience on NGOs and their importance over the world. Through the presentations, the discussants gave an overview on the role NGOs play in the improvement of health services in OIC Member States. In this regard, Dr. Kerem Kınık highlighted three fundamentals of the NGOs mission: volunteerism, partnership and specialisation. Mr. Ehsan Bin Saleh Tayeb ensured that one of the main goals of the IIRO is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. As to Mr. Enes Efendioğlu, he highlighted the role youth can play in health sector and advised the audience to include young people in the decision making processes. Furthermore, Dr. Tanveer Zubairi emphasized the role of Capacity Building programmes in the implementation of the SHPA and highlighted the efforts of FIMA in the fight against AIDS and in Polio eradication. Mr. M. Hamid H. Azad put emphasis on NGOs’ role in improving health services through capacity building, awareness raising, its role as a bridge between community and government and in its efforts in improving coverage of health care services.