‘Source of pride’: Raeisi hails Iran’s progress in medical science amid sanctions

President Ebrahim Raeisi has hailed the progress Iranian scientists have made in the field of medical science despite decades of sanctions, particularly referring to the production of world-class equipment and medicine. 

“The achievements of the country in the area of producing knowledge-based medical equipment is a source of pride,” he said on Wednesday while addressing the inauguration ceremony of 'Mahdi Clinic' Hospital in the capital Tehran.

Described as the biggest medical project of the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Mahdi Clinic is equipped with nearly 1,000 beds as well as advanced medical equipment that will cater to both Iranian and foreign patients.

Iranian officials in the past used to introduce exquisite home-made carpets as the country’s flagship product abroad, Raeisi said, adding that he is “proudly” willing to take the indigenous medical equipment made by young Iranian scientists to foreign countries.

The growing interest that the younger generations show in medical branches at universities points to the importance of this field and the need to use this opportunity for improving medical science in Iran, he asserted.

President Raeisi further said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is poised to become the hub of medical science in the region and the world.

Iran has made significant progress in the field of medicine over the years, particularly in the areas of manufacturing pharmaceuticals and medical equipment as well as training physicians and surgeons at state-of-the-art medical centers across the country.

Medical device manufacturing

Iran has a robust industry for producing medical devices.

This progress was evident when Iranian scientists developed a number of vaccines for COVID-19 as well as other equipment such as ventilators and testing kits at the height of the pandemic amid restrictions on importing them from overseas.

Implementing a comprehensive healthcare system over the past few decades, Iran has practically improved the accessibility of healthcare for all its citizens, as according to official figures more than 90 percent of the rural population today have access to affordable healthcare.

Manufacturing various medicine, including life-saving drugs, was seriously followed after the Islamic Revolution. That transformed Iran from an importer of drugs to an exporter that currently meets some 97 percent of its pharmaceutical needs by relying on domestic capabilities.

In July 2022, Iran's health minister Bahram Einollahi, referring to the progress in medical science, said Iran has the strongest health system in the region.

This success is the result of the resistance of people, as well as the round-the-clock efforts of scientists and innovative youths, he said.

In the past, people used to go to other countries for treatment, but today Iran has achieved so much in the field of health that many patients in the region travel to the country for treatment, the minister hastened to add.

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