Shiraz, Fars Prov, Oct 30, IRNA Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Iran Mehmet Hulki Uz said on Wednesday that Iran has taken successful steps in health sector.
With a population of 75 millions, Iran faces a serious challenge in dealing with contagious diseases, Hulki Uz said in his address to an international conference on health care in rural areas.
The confernce was held in this southern provincial capital city.
So far, great achievements have been made by Iran in fulfilling the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, said the UNFPA envoy.
The eight UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) form a blueprint agreed to by all the worlds countries and all the worlds leading development institutions.
The MDGs range from halving extreme poverty rates to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015.
Hulki Uz stressed that in its Fifth Development Plan (2010-2014), Iran should give due attention to major issues including reduction of poverty, increase of health standards, lasting management of environment, management of natural disasters and the fights against illegal drugs.