Iran Facing Serious Doctor Shortage | Health Ministry: Medical Professionals Have Left the Country

Iran’s Health Ministry has reported a serious shortage of doctors due to the migration of physicians from the country.

Eiraj Harirchi, Deputy Minister of Health, said on Sunday, July 30, to ISNA news agency that the current index of general practitioners, specialists, and dentists in the country is 1.6 per 1,000 people, while the minimum required number of doctors in this field is 2.5 per 1,000 people, and even many countries around the world have an index between 3.5 to 5 people per 1,000 population in this regard.

This Health Ministry official added: “Despite training medical personnel that we had, a number of these individuals have left the country due to considerations that existed in student selection and based on the conditions they had. On this basis, we are facing a serious shortage of doctors.”

Previously, a member of the Health and Medical Commission of Parliament had also reported a shortage of medical personnel, even specialist doctors, in deprived areas of Iran.

Source: Voice of America