Health Minister: Iran ready to establish international medical science universities in World's Muslim cities

Ahlul Bayt News Agency - Iran ranks 17th worldwide in terms of medical advancements and access to the now-how of treating diseases, said Health Minister Seyyed Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi.

He added Iran is ready to establish medical science universities in the world's Muslim cities, including Beirut (Lebanon), Najaf and Karbala (Iraq).

Addressing the participants in the 8th International Congress of Muslim Medics, which wrapped up in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province on last Saturday, Hashemi said Iran is proud that its health sector is both responsible for citizens’ health and training healthcare professionals.

The minister said Iran has witnessed an increase in life expectancy thanks to medical advancements made over the past three decades.

"Average life expectancy was 55 years until 30 years ago," he said.

Hashemi said, however, non-communicable diseases are responsible for 50 percent of deaths in Iran, which are attributed to strokes and heart attacks.

The minister said most regional countries are plagued by addiction and diseases caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and respiratory deficiencies.

"Dr. Margaret Chan, the director-general of the World Health Organization, praised Iran for implementation of Health Overhaul Plan, which has reduced out-of-pocket costs and extended healthcare coverage to the most remote areas," he said.

Hashemi said that healthcare is among the top priorities of the government.

"Providing citizens with low-cost and high-quality healthcare services was among President Hassan Rouhani's promises in his 2013 presidential campaign. Extending insurance coverage to 10 million Iranians and lowering the out-of-pocket costs to less than 4.5 percent — out of the total costs— in 575 hospitals across the nation are among the achievements in healthcare sector," he said.

The minister said Iran has made remarkable achievements in medical technologies, including organ transplant, cognitive sciences and nanotechnology.

"About 600 liver transplant surgeries have been conducted in Shiraz, Fars province, which indicates the country’s remarkable progress in medical sciences as well as pancreas, kidney, tissue and marrow transplants.

Hashemi said Iran is ranked among world's most developed nations in terms of medical sciences despite years of sanctions.

"The articles produced by domestic scientists were not published in the world's prestigious magazines due to sanctions," he said, adding Iran is moving towards producing wealth and technology.

The minister also said Iran has a high potential for health tourism and attracting foreign tourists.

He hoped Muslim tourists would seek treatments in Iranian medical centers. "Razavi Hospital in Mashhad is a hub of health tourism in Iran with expertise medical staffs.”

The 8th International Congress of Muslim Medics opened on July 30th  in Mashhad and will run till August 8th.

Ahlul Bayt (AS) World Assembly in collaboration with some academic, cultural and religious institutions held the 8th International Congress of Muslim Medics in Iran's different cities.

In this congress 300 Shiite doctors from around the world participated in the scientific meetings, workshops, pilgrimage and cultural programs.


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