Iran advances medical tourism with strategic development plan

Iran has announced the development of a strategic document aimed at strengthening its medical tourism sector and attracting more international patients. Ahmad Meydari, Minister of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare, stated that this initiative focuses on expanding access to medical services, as reported by Tehran Times, a partner of TV BRICS.

The document’s development involves collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, provincial authorities, foreign representatives, and embassies in Tehran.

While the private sector will play a central role in delivering medical services, the government will act as a facilitator and regulator. Special emphasis is placed on attracting patients from neighbouring countries and the Persian Gulf region.

According to estimates, Iran has the potential to generate US$6.2874 billion annually from medical tourism with effective planning. Authorities also envision turning the country into a leading healthcare hub in West Asia, with plans to export US$1.0479 billion worth of medical equipment and vaccines each year.

Currently, Iran’s pharmaceutical exports amount to approximately US$209 million annually. A report by the Iranian Health Ministry in August 2023 indicated that around one million foreign patients receive treatment in Iran each year, reinforcing the country’s growing influence in the global healthcare industry.

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