A GLANCE AT MEDICAL TOURISM INIRAN

DAVOOD SAFARI, MD

I.R.IRANIran is a country in southwest Asia with an area of 1,648,195 km2 (about one-fifth the size of the contiguous United States) and a population of 79 million.It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia, and Azerbaijan; to the northeast by Turkmenistan; to the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan; to the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman; to the north by the Caspian Sea; and to the west by Turkey and Iraq.The capital of Iran is Tehran, and other major cities include Mashhad, Esfahan, Tabriz, Karaj, and Shiraz.GDP (PPP) Total

GDP (PPP) per Capita

GDP (Nominal) Total

GDP (Nominal) per Capita

Gini HDI

$1,015 Billion $12,833 $419,643 Billion

$5,306 37.4 0.766

In-bound Medical Tourism is prevalent in Iran and attracts many tourists from the neighboring regions

to benefit from medical and treatment services.

Iran as a Emerged Destination

Why Iran? Climate verities and plenty of tourism attractions Security stability all around Iran The regional proficiency and favorites of the

Iranian doctors Medical centers equipped with modern the

systems Low costs of medical services comparing with

other countries

Medical Tourism has a short history in Iran

Iranian Ministry of Health recognized Medical Tourism in 2003

Main Stockholders

Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization

Ministry of Health and Medical Education Ministry of Foreign Affairs Medical Council Chamber of Commerce Health service providers Tourism services providers Investors

Strengths factors Affordable cost compared to other neighboring countries Iran's achievement to modern ways in treatment such as

recombinant drugs, stem cells, etc. Iran's strategic position in the area Being contagious with Afghanistan and Iraq which are

medically required to other countries Proximity with the Persian Gulf states Existing proficient medical and therapeutic experts in the

country Existing religious tourism attractions, exchanging ideas and

common religious orientations in the area Existing young and affordable labor force in the country Tourism and very rich natural therapy attractions

Main challenges Lack of required coordination among responsible

authorities in medical and tourism Lack of advertising and marketing at the regional and

international level Lack of insurance rules consistent with international

standards Lack of private and public sector investment in

Medical Tourism Lack of accurate statistical reports Negative mental image and wrong perception

regarding developed countries’ tourists

Exporting medical services via Medical Tourism

According to the planning, the Iranian government has devised plans to cover 30% of medical and

health needs of the country, by the end of 4th national development program, through exporting medical products and services.

Medical Tourists Percent per Month

March

April May Jun

e JulyAu

gust

Septem

ber

Octobe

r

Novem

ber

Decembe

r

Janua

ry

Februa

ry0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

20142015

Perc

ent

of M

edic

al T

ouris

ts

Medical Tourists in Iran

Iran attracts hundreds of thousands of medical tourists per year, according to exit surveys Iran's international patients are mostly from Asian countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Oman, Kuwait, Azerbaijan.

Common Treatments done in Iran by Medical Tourists

Cosmetic Surgery Non-surgical Rejuvenation (botox, microdermabrasion,

etc) Orthopedic Surgery (hip and knee replacements, etc) Cardiac Surgeries (heart bypass, valve replacements,

etc) Dental Services (surgeries, dental implants, etc) Eye / Ophthalmology (LASIK, Cataract surgeries, etc) Pediatrics

Price

USA UK India Thailand

Singapour

Turkey Iran Procedure

47000

8000 8000 10000 12000 6000 2800 Angioplasty

13000

13920 10000 13000 15000 15000 6000 Heart bypass (CABG)

47000

12000 9000 12000 14000 10750  7500 Hip replaceme

nt4800

010600 8500 10000 13000 11200  7000 Knee

replacement

The following are cost comparisons between Medical procedures in Iran and equivalent procedures in the other Countries

Some of the Best Medical Centers

Tehran:gandhihospital.ir/en

Mashhad:razavihospital.com/en

Shiraz: oldsums.sums.ac.ir/english/hospitals/namazi

Esfahan:khanevadeh-hospital.ir/en/esf.htm

Tabriz:shams-hospital.com