H.E Rodolfo J. Martin-Saravia Ambassador of Argentina, Islamabad

H.E. Mr. Rodolfo José Martin-Saravia is the Ambassador of Argentina in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He honoured Medical Review by agreeing for an Interview. He was requested to speak on collaboration with Pakistani companies and assistance on other health projects.

Argentina company have entered the health sector and have confirmed joint venture between Ferozesons Laboratories and Bago Lab of Argentina. The two big pharmaceutical companies are very well known around the world. They have joined hands with them to build state-of-the-art biotechnology laboratory in Lahore which is now called BF Biosciences. These two companies are working closely together to achieve the goals. They already have a big drug producing plant in Lahore which have already started production. The following are the excerpts.

Q – Your Excellency please share with us your views as a diplomat staying in this country for a sufficiently long time.

Ans 1: I am very successful and happy in this country. A lot of work has been done in every sector. I witness every moment and lot of changes including the social & political changes in Pakistan. Media personnel always give importance to activities regarding culture, commerce, sports and medical.  This country is a paradise for diplomat and media persons.

Q – What are the contributions of your great country in the Pakistan’s economy.

Ans 2: Obviously, the important thing that has been done so far in the health sector is the confirmation of joint venture between Ferozesons Laboratories and Bago Group with Argentina. The two big pharmaceutical companies are very well known around the world. We have joined hands with them to build state-of-the-art biotechnology laboratory in Lahore which is now called BF Biosciences and the techniques of biotechnology are on top of the line in science and technology these days. These two are working closely together to achieve the goals. They already have a big drug producing plant in Lahore which has already started its production.

The laboratory is mainly evaluating medicine for cancer and Hepatitis B & C which are spreading fast. Even if we would be a drop of hope in the ocean of misery yet we will be playing our part as we would continue to provide drug especially for the poor in a cheaper and faster way.

Q – Have you donated drugs to national and provincial programs.

Ans 3: Not that yet, what we have done is that we are producing the medicine. What they have done is really fantastic. This is something to be proud of. You know that the treatment of Hepatitis is expensive especially interferon.

Q – Your country has also contributed in the development of the Poly Clinic Islamabad. Would you like to throw some light on it.

Ans 6: That is the second big project. As soon as it is completed, it will be surely the best successful activity carried out by me during my 6 year tenure in this country. We are working for it in coordination and full support of different organizations like Federal Minister for health, Director of Poly Clinic Hospital, Chairman of Standing Committee of Health of Senate, Planning Commission. All these concerned departments are involved in it with off course no doubt, strong support of media.

Poly Clinic hospital is the hospital that has been growing alone from the year it was started with only 8 beds. If we visited the hospital at that time, we would find no free bed to admit patients. I have been a witness to seeing two patients on one bed and lack of resources etc. Then, I supported the idea of extending the Poly Clinic hospital. The only way that it can be expanded is on the space of Argentina Park. After lots of discussion, the final decision taken by CBA, MoH and Prime Minister was to give an NOC for the extension of the Poly Clinic hospital which will be built on one-third of the park. It will be built as a modern building which will be called “Argentina Pavilion”. The old building will be demolished and on that a new building will be constructed.

Q – What have been your environmental concerns regarding the building of this hospital and how they have been addressed.

Ans 7: Not particularly, what I have seen is one of the objections of Poly Clinic hospital extension about three years ago. The issue of objection from the point of CBA was that the extension would destroy green space in the city. The Argentina Park is the space in Pakistan which now has the name of my country. 

Q – Hospital waste management has become a very important issue globally. Has this consideration cropped up in your discussions with the health and building authorities in Pakistan.

Ans 8: It is very important. I know that very well. Minister Afridi, with whom I have been discussing a lot of things, I would certainly mention that the new hospital should have a proper way of treating waste. I assured that Minister Afridi will be thankful if we focus on this issue.

Q – What will be exactly the support of your government for the hospital.

Ans 10: The government has allocated funds for the hospital. The Argentina delegates will bring equipments. Argentina has always come forward in relief works. In the last earth quake, Argentina donated antibiotic and oral injections to PIMS hospital. Later on, we donated “White Helmet” drug and we went on distributing this to oncological hospitals around the Park.

Q – What other areas of collaboration, Your Excellency foresee.

Ans 11: Yes, already an increasing participation. There are companies of different nature that are connected with the counterparts in Argentina. So you will hear about proposal of joint venture soon. Argentina is very well known in terms of expertise in producing vaccines and that is something it will be more than happy to comply with Pakistani companies

Foot and mouth disease is the disease of animal especially cow and is very much spreading. By tackling the problem, we will have better livestock in the country. There is a good possibility of joint venture with Pakistani companies. We are still waiting for a decision that I am pushing a lot which is to give Biotechnology Company, BF Biosciences, the priority status in Pakistan. And there is a reason for that. Others have not invested in this country, in this particular field, and are only traders. They have no stakes. Bago Labs have invested a lot and deserves a handsome profit.