WANA (Sep 03) – Iran has achieved the top regional position in reproductive medicine and support for infertile couples, ranking first in West Asia, according to Shahin Akhoundzadeh, Deputy Minister for Research and Technology at the Ministry of Health.

 

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 26th International Royan Congress and 24th Royan Festival at Shahid Beheshti University, Akhoundzadeh reported that Iran ranked third globally in 2024 in the number of published articles in reproductive medicine, after China and the United States, despite spending only 0.5% of its GDP on science.

 

He added that Iran also holds eighth place worldwide in reproductive medicine citations, while clinical medicine overall stands at 16th place.

 

Akhoundzadeh explained that Iran’s relatively low H-index ranking (31st globally) is due to the indicator’s time-based nature, noting that the country remains young in scientific development. Despite sanctions and restrictions, he stressed, Iran has performed better than countries like Turkey that face fewer obstacles.

 

He also pointed to a steady rise in reproductive medicine publications since 2004, highlighting the Royan Institute’s strong international position and the presence of several Iranian names among the world’s top 10 researchers by publication output.

 

Concluding his remarks, Akhoundzadeh emphasized the importance of supporting young scientists, saying that migration is not always politically or economically driven, and that talented biologists should be given opportunities to thrive in Iran.

Royan