7,000 physicians strengthen Iran's Family Physician Programme for rural healthcare

Iran’s Family Physician Programme, initiated in 2005 to enhance healthcare access in rural areas, now involves approximately 7,000 physicians. The programme aims to provide comprehensive medical services, covering over 20 million residents in rural regions. This is reported by Tehran Times, a partner of TV BRICS.

The initiative initially targeted villages and towns with populations below 20,000, improving treatment referrals and ensuring better access to essential health services. Services offered include medical, dental, mental health, midwifery, nutrition, laboratory, pharmaceutical, and medical imaging.

The officials involved in the programme, highlighted the it's expansion this year to include mental health and nutrition experts. Over 4,287 medical centres are staffed by 7,000 physicians, 5,662 midwives, and 1,893 dentists, all working to meet the needs of nearly 25 million rural citizens.

Piloted in Fars and Mazandaran provinces, the Family Physician Programme has since expanded to 182 cities, covering 40 per cent of the country’s urban population, with plans for further expansion. The project’s successful implementation has also reduced out-of-pocket payments for rural and urban residents, providing more affordable healthcare services.

In September 2023, former Health Minister Bahram Einollahi described the programme as a cornerstone of Iran’s healthcare strategy. The initiative not only concentrates treatment referrals but also enhances doctor-patient interactions, with regular health monitoring and preventive care playing key roles in improving the health outcomes of rural families.

With ongoing improvements and expanded coverage, the Family Physician Programme is set to transform Iran’s healthcare landscape, addressing the unique challenges of rural healthcare while positioning the country as a leader in family medicine on the global stage.

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