The Iranian administration is investing in health tourism in order to mitigate the negative impact of the US sanctions on the health sector. Mahdi Karimi, General Manager of Iran Health Tourism Institution, said, “Despite the sanctions of the USA, we are trying to use our opportunities in the health sector and health tourism. They don’t even give us medicine. It’s a lie that drugs are not subject to sanctions.”

The US sanctions, particularly oil embargo on Iran, has reduced Iran’s oil revenue, leading to a drastic decline in the state’s capacity to invest in social security services, particularly in the healthcare system. Financial and economic problems brought about by investments in recent years, restrictions on fund transfer and disruption in political and international relations have made it difficult to supply medical equipment and drugs in Iran. Trying to overcome the negative impact of the sanctions imposed by the USA on the health sector, the Iranian administration is investing in health tourism.

In this context, the International Private Hospitals Congress and Fair is organized by the Islamic Countries Health Tourism Development Center at the Iranian State Television (IRIB) International Conference Center in the capital Tehran. Private hospitals and health tourism agencies from many countries, especially Turkey, participated in the fair. Hospitals and medical research centers presenting their work introduced their medical equipment.