UK. UK and Mexico sign Memorandum of Understanding on health
UK and Mexico sign Memorandum of Understanding on healthKeywords: Exchange of information,Healthcare admin, Multinational
In November Mr Alan Milburn, Secretary of State for Health, and Dr Julio Frenk, the Mexican Health Secretary, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on health matters. The aim of the Memorandum is to encourage and support co-operation in dealing with common health concerns and matters of mutual interest in public health.
The areas of co-operation agreed in the Memorandum include:
the exchange of technical information;
exchange visits by specialists and professionals;
joint health care research, for example the assessment of services and the integration of basic information systems for health and epidemiology;
training activities for medical students and health care providers;
the organisation of joint seminars, workshops, symposiums and conferences.
Both countries are eager to see increased co-operation on institutional reform, nurse training, health technology, advanced medical technology,HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, hospital management, health care administration and ageing.
Welcoming the joint Memorandum, Alan Milburn said : "This is an important step forward in the drive to increase co-operation between our two countries. It follows the joint statement signed by the Prime Minister and President Fox in August last year when they made a commitment to increase co-operation on health issues."
"Health care systems the world over face similar challenges: ensuring equity for the population and delivery and choice for the patient. Patients and staff will benefit from the sharing of knowledge and expertise as outlined in this memorandum. This is a significant step forward for both our countries."
Dr Frenk, stressing the importance of the Memorandum, the signing of which was timed to coincide with a visit to the UK by the Mexican President Vicente Fox to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair, said: "Mexico and the United Kingdom consider health as an essential component for the development of peoples. Health is a bridge that enables nations to intensify co-operation links and share experiences."
