Iran healthcare crisis worsens as medical costs soar

Iran is facing a severe healthcare crisis driven by economic instability and the collapse of the rial. Salman Es’haqi, spokesperson for the parliament’s Health and Treatment Commission, admitted that more than 80 percent of healthcare expenses are now paid directly by patients, noting that the lack of medicine and high costs are leading to preventable deaths.

While the government often attributes shortages to international sanctions, Es’haqi stated that medicine shortages cannot be blamed solely on external pressures, as the country has the capacity to import pharmaceutical materials from nations like Russia and China. The crisis is linked to deeper issues including economic mismanagement and corruption.

The financial burden is particularly acute for cancer patients. Dr. Ruhollah Miri, head of the cancer department at Khomeini Hospital, reported that some patients, having become destitute from treatment costs, have begged doctors to end their lives or attempted suicide. Beyond hospital fees, families face overwhelming costs for medication, testing, and transportation, often forcing them to sell assets or take on significant debt to afford essential care.