Iran Health Minister addresses medical sector challenges

At a ceremony held at Milad Tower to commemorate Physician and Pharmacist Day, Iran’s Minister of Health, Mohammad Reza Zafarkandi, addressed the challenges facing the nation's medical community. He praised the medical sector for acting like a ‘national team’ to support the public through crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and recent conflicts.

Zafarkandi highlighted the physical damage sustained by healthcare infrastructure during the 12-day war, noting that hospitals and more than 20 ambulances were targeted, violating humanitarian and military principles. He also criticized the impact of international sanctions on the healthcare sector. While official policies may claim medicines are exempt from sanctions, Zafarkandi stated that in practice, restrictions on transportation and the delivery of resources create significant obstacles to supplying medical goods to the country.