WANA (Feb 12) – Iran is setting its sights on a major expansion in health tourism, with plans to generate €6 billion in revenue as part of the country’s Seventh Development Plan, according to Jalal Ghafarzadeh, The Head of the Supervision and Accreditation Center for Medical Affairs at the Ministry of Health.

 

Speaking at the International Health Tourism Conference, Ghafarzadeh emphasized Iran’s competitive edge in medical tourism, citing the country’s highly skilled doctors, advanced healthcare services, and hospitals equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology.

 

“With these strengths, Iran has significant potential to become a major player in global health tourism and attract foreign patients seeking high-quality, cost-effective medical treatments,” he stated.

 

New Platform to Boost Medical Tourism

Ghafarzadeh also announced the launch of a new platform aimed at streamlining health tourism services. “To achieve the ambitious goals set in the Seventh Development Plan, we need to enhance our infrastructure and provide a seamless experience for international patients,” he added.

 

Government Backs Expansion of Health Tourism

Alireza Tabesh, Head of the Policy Council for Iran’s International Medical Tourism Conference, highlighted the government’s strong commitment to developing the health tourism industry.

 

“The Seventh Development Plan has placed special emphasis on expanding medical tourism, and with government support, we aim to position Iran as a leading destination for international patients,” he said.

 

Tabesh pointed to Iran’s extensive medical capabilities across various cities, particularly in Khorramshahr, as an advantage. He also announced that a dedicated medical tourism conference will be held in May to further promote Iran’s healthcare sector on the global stage.

 

Affordable Healthcare Attracts Foreign Patients

Iran’s affordable medical services have made it an increasingly popular destination for patients from neighboring countries, particularly Iraq. “The combination of high-quality treatment and lower costs compared to Western countries has driven a steady increase in medical tourists,” Tabesh noted.

 

To further capitalize on this opportunity, he called for greater collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to improve infrastructure and facilitate patient experiences.

 

Strategic Plan for Health Tourism in the Works

Tabesh revealed that a comprehensive health tourism development strategy is being drafted and will soon receive approval from the Minister of Health. He also highlighted the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in strengthening diplomatic efforts to foster regional medical cooperation, particularly with Gulf states and neighboring countries.

 

“Iran has world-class medical expertise and facilities, but we need to enhance our international visibility,” he said. “The private sector must play a bigger role by participating in global exhibitions, developing specialized medical tourism packages, and making it easier for international patients to access our healthcare services.”

 

With government support, strategic planning, and an increasing number of international patients, Iran is positioning itself as a key player in the global medical tourism industry.