Resolution of “2nd Conference on Health Tourism in Islamic Countries “
December 19-20,2011, Mashhad-Islamic Republic of Iran
Presented by Dr M R Karbasi, Conference secretariat | Director General Islamic Chamber at the ICCIM
The “2nd Conference on Health Tourism in Islamic Countries ” held in Mashhad , I R Iran
on, Dec 19-20,2011 focusing on challenges and Health Tourism opportunities and to enhance the
flow of Health tourists within the OIC member countries ,Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and
Mines (ICCIM), Mashhad Razavi Hospital, I R Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education, I. R.
Iran Organization of Cultural Heritage and Handicrafts and Tourism in collaboration with the
Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the Islamic Development Bank and the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) have organized a conference as well as an Exhibition
on the sidelines of the event in line with the Health tourism trends of the world in order to deepen the
knowledge of the experts and operators of health tourism in Islamic countries .
During the 2 days of the Conference with participation of about 300 businessmen, scholars, experts,
international organizations as well as chambers of commerce of member countries, presentations were
made on various aspects of Health Tourism in line with the OIC 10-Year Plan of Action adopted
during the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Conference in Makkah as well as the Final
Resolution of the 7th Islamic Countries Health Ministers (ICTM) Meeting held in Tehran, I R Iran on
November 28-30,2010 expressing support of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for
establishment of the Islamic Countries Health Tourism Association (ICHTA) to address the needs of
the Muslim World in the 21st century and to identify ways and means to promote the health tourism
with a renewed spirit based on the principles of Islamic Solidarity.
The participants expressed their support for the following items with a view to the approval of the
establishment of the Islamic Countries Health Tourism Association (ICHTA) at the 7th Islamic
Countries Health Tourism Ministers Meeting (ICTM) in Tehran on November 28-30,2010 within its
resolution and the significance of such an initiative in promotion and development of the health
tourism incentives among the Islamic Countries the meeting unanimously adopted the below items:
1-Islamic Health Tourism Conference aims at introducing the potentials of Health Tourism
within OIC countries, as in this respect suitable platforms for the interaction of corporations
and organizations should be pursued by all Muslim Countries.
2-Expressing support for the Health Tourism bodies throughout the world, the efforts carried
out by all Islamic Chamber affiliated bodies in realization of OIC Health Tourism Market is
appreciated and all Healthcare standardization bodies are invited to collaborate with the
Islamic Chamber and its affiliated bodies in promotion of the Health Tourism Market.
3-The Health Tourism market provides excellent opportunities for motivating to collect their
shares in line with the OIC goals towards the Islamic Common Market and strengthening
Muslim World solidarity and the member countries can benefit from this opportunity for
promotion of their collaborations on Health tourism.
4-In order to further fortify the competitiveness of Health Tourism in the global arena the
authorities of the OIC countries are called upon to prepare incentives to promote Health
Tourism services in their own countries with a view to the Islamic World.
5-Islamic Development Bank is called on to continue contributing to research projects and
promotion activities in Islamic countries regarding Health Tourism products and services.
6-The Islamic Development Bank is encouraged to continue supporting efforts towards
health tourism in Islamic Countries. As such under the umbrella of OIC, IDB would
positively consider the proposals for feasibility studies of health tourism development.
7-Research and scientific studies are essential for promotion of Health Tourism. In this regard
while appreciating the previous assistance made by various institutions of the OIC, the
“Islamic Countries’ Health Tourism Association (ICHTA) ” is reaffirmed to be supported
technically and financially by OIC Institutions such as the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
8-Harmonization of Health Tourism standards among OIC countries is essential. Hence
the joint meeting of medical ministries and related medical councils of OIC member
countries to harmonize their standards in this respect is proposed .
9-The insurance companies and authorities of the Islamic countries are called to look into ways
and means of collaborations in a manner to provide the insurance services to insured persons
of each other and provide inter OIC trans border services
10-Spas and wellness centers have to be encouraged in OIC countries in the fields such
as hydrotherapy and traditional/alternative medicine in which there are rich resources
in member countries by collaboration of the ICHTA as well as medical and tourism
authorities ,investors and entrepreneurs.
11-The elite medical and therapeutic complexes of the Islamic countries shall collaborate with
the ICHTA to explore establishing a company to promote investments in Health Tourism
industries of the OIC Countries
12-Training activities and joint courses shall be on the focus of the member countries of the OIC
in order to strengthen their capabilities in the field of health and medical tourism , hence
single, mutual and multilateral initiatives can be designed among the member countries for
this purpose
13-SME’s and entrepreneurs acting in Health Tourism industry shall be connected through the
Islamic Countries Health Tourism association (ICHTA) in Islamic countries in collaboration
of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and relevant scientific and research
institutions.
14-The medical ethics is of paramount value in patient-doctor relations , therefore
promotion of medical ethics shall be pursued by Medical Associations and Councils
of OIC member countries to encourage prospective health tourists .
15-The Islamic Health Tourism Association (ICHTA) shall be interconnected and
assisted by Islamic Chamber members and institutions as well as due tour operators,
healthcare centers, Spa centers ,medical associations, councils and officials of Islamic
Countries to reach its operational optimum .
16-The participants agreed to pursue and realize the establishment of branches of the
Islamic Health Tourism Association (ICHTA) in their own respective countries
in order to follow up the trends of Health Tourism Development in Islamic World
through cooperation and coordination with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (ICCI) and the said association in all OIC member countries.
17-As the visa issuance problems hinders the process of health and medical travels
among the OIC member countries, the conference urges the Council of Foreign
Ministers (CFM) as well as the Islamic Countries Tourism Ministers (ICTM) to look
into ways and means to alleviate and removal of these hindrances duly.
18-The ICHTA shall harmonize the discounted-deferred packaging (ticket-hospital
reception – visa – accommodation etc…) initiatives to design and devise such
packages all around the OIC member countries.
19-Relevant agreements between the hospitals of less developed OIC member countries
and other member countries hospitals shall be endorsed to contribute to the diagnosis
and expedition of patients to more clinically advanced OIC Countries.
20-The participants called on the Islamic Countries health Tourism Association (ICHTA)
to strive to offer special incentives for exportation/importation of medical equipment
and relevant training of technicians.
21-The Conference called on the OIC member countries and their relevant authorities to
look into supporting for the promotion of Health Clusters in its various modalities.
22-Development of eHealth cards containing the medical data of the patients among OIC
member countries was encouraged.
The participants expressed their profound gratitude to, H.E Dr Saeed Abdolhosseini , Head of
Mashhad Razavi Hospital, and his colleagues for the warm welcome and generous hospitality
extended to the participants and for the excellent arrangements made to ensure the success of the
conference.
The participants also expressed their gratitude, for support and excellent arrangements of the
conference made jointly by Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines (ICCIM), I R Iran
“Ministry of Health and Medical Education, I R Iran Organization of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts
and Tourism, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Islamic Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (ICCI), and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).