Over 1 Million Health Tourists Travel to Iran Annually
"In the field of health diplomacy, we have prepared necessary documents and have given them to higher-ranking authorities. We are considering three important policies in our plan. The first one is internationalization of health sector potentials and capabilities in treatment, education, medicine, and production of medical equipment,” Director General of International Affairs Department at Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education Mohammad Hossein Niknam said in a press conference in Tehran.
“The second area of activity is improving the health condition in the neighboring countries. We cannot be indifferent towards their health as we share a lot of borders with our neighbors,” he added.
Niknam added that paying attention to the international markets to provide them with the country's pharmaceutical capablities is one of the other main areas of activities on their agenda.
He added that deepening cooperation with international organizations is of great importance.
Referring to the 'Group 5' countries compsrising Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and World Health Organization, the director general of the health ministry's international affairs department added, "We we are in a better position in terms of health than the neighboring countries."
"The cooperation of the Group 5 is exemplary in the world, and in the near future, we will hold the next summit in October focusing on food and medicine," Niknam noted.
He added that the first international branch of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences was founded in Iraq's Karbala with 160 medical students and 60 nursing students.
He continued to say that a branch of Iran University of Medical Sciences will be established in Ghana, a branch in Tajikistan, and a branch of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences will be established in Lebanon.
Niknam announced the signing of comprehensive agreements between Iran and other countries, adding, "7,000 foreign medical students from 40 countries are studying in Iran; Besides, more than one million foreign patients come to Iran for treatment."
He said that Iran ranked 16th in the field of medical science in the world.
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