Iran Health Minister: Air pollution causes 50,000 annual deaths

Iran's Minister of Health, Mohammad Reza Zafarkandi, stated that air pollution causes approximately 50,000 deaths annually in the country. He noted that globally, air pollution claims the lives of about 700,000 children.

Speaking at the opening of specialized clinics and a solar power plant at Bazargan Hospital, Zafarkandi emphasized the social responsibility of the health system, which includes prevention, education, and crisis preparedness. To combat environmental challenges and energy imbalances, he proposed the expansion of renewable energy as a practical solution. He highlighted that Iran's approximately 300 sunny days per year provide significant capacity for solar energy, and utilizing hospital rooftops for solar power can provide sustainable energy while helping to reduce air pollution.