The international pre-conference on “Investment Opportunities in Iran’s Medical Tourism” took place on the evening of Tuesday, 23rd Bahman 1403 (February 12, 2025), at Homa Hotel in Tehran. The event brought together the Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, along with ambassadors from various countries.
As reported by Amordad, this pre-conference served as a precursor to the main conference, which is scheduled to be held in Khorramshahr and Abadan in Ordibehesht (April-May 2025). The discussions centered around investment prospects in the medical tourism sector of these cities, aiming to attract both domestic and international investors.
Ahmad Meidari: Iran Among the World’s Leaders in Organ Transplants, Cardiac Surgery, and Infertility Treatment
Ahmad Meidari, Minister of Labor and Social Welfare in the 14th administration, underscored the government’s strategy to expand health tourism and harness Iran’s medical expertise. He emphasized that this initiative represents a significant move toward strengthening the economy, enhancing international engagement, and improving the country’s healthcare and tourism infrastructure. With strategic investments, reduced regulatory hurdles, and active private-sector involvement, Iran has the potential to make medical tourism a cornerstone of its economy.
Meidari further highlighted that the 14th government prioritizes international collaboration, fostering stronger ties with neighboring countries, and capitalizing on Iran’s advanced medical capabilities to promote health tourism. With Iran’s global expertise in organ transplants and complex surgeries, these efforts could pave the way for increased foreign revenue, job creation, and the expansion of healthcare and tourism infrastructure.
Referring to the government’s policy of enhancing international relations and expanding health tourism, he stated: “The fourteenth government, following the President’s directive, has a comprehensive plan to strengthen global ties and boost cooperation with regional countries. A key component of this strategy is the development of health tourism, which not only offers economic benefits but also promotes public and cultural diplomacy.”
Meidari emphasized Iran’s leading position in medical and healthcare services, noting: “Iran is among the world’s top countries in several medical fields, including organ transplantation, infertility treatment, cardiac surgery, cosmetic procedures, and orthopedics. Many patients from neighboring countries and even beyond the region travel to Iran for these advanced treatments.”
The Minister of Labor and Welfare highlighted the crucial role of border regions in advancing health tourism, stating: “Abadan and Khorramshahr have been designated as emerging health tourism hubs. Due to their close proximity to the Arab Gulf states and Iraq, these cities have significant potential for targeted development. The government also aims to enhance health tourism infrastructure in other border regions. By attracting international patients, increasing foreign exchange earnings, creating jobs in the medical, tourism, and transportation sectors, strengthening Iran’s global reputation in healthcare, fostering cultural exchanges, and improving medical and tourism facilities in border areas, these efforts can drive economic growth in these regions.”Ahmad Meidari emphasized the strong presence and active participation of the private sector, stating: “This conference brought together members of parliament, the governor of Khuzestan, and private sector economic leaders, reflecting the collaboration between the government and private enterprises in advancing this industry. In this regard, the Social Security Pension Fund, as a key institution, has implemented policies to invest in health tourism.”
Concluding his speech, the Minister of Welfare addressed the key challenges facing the health tourism sector. He cited financial and banking sanctions that obstruct international transactions, visa issues, and administrative hurdles that delay the entry of foreign patients. Additionally, he pointed to inadequate accommodation and transportation infrastructure in certain border areas and growing competition from countries such as Turkey, India, and the UAE as major obstacles.
Alireza Tabesh: Strengthening Regional Resilience Against Health Crises and Epidemics Through a Health-Oriented Alliance
During the session, Alireza Tabesh, CEO of HEGTA (Social Security Tourism Holding), stated: “We are entering a new phase of regional cooperation, which we refer to as the ‘Health-Oriented Alliance.’ The primary objective of this initiative is to enhance public health, expand healthcare infrastructure, and improve access to medical services across the region. These collaborations will facilitate knowledge and technology exchange, attract investment in medical projects, and establish modern healthcare facilities.”
He further emphasized that one of the key benefits of this alliance is increasing regional resilience against health crises and epidemics. Additionally, such partnerships can contribute to sustainable development and elevate the quality of life for citizens across the region. Public health is undeniably a cornerstone of sustainable development, and this alliance can serve as a crucial step toward achieving this goal.
The CEO of HEGTA emphasized that the Health-Oriented Alliance is not only a response to medical and healthcare crises but also aligns with the development strategies of countries in the region. He stated: “Key aspects of this initiative include attracting domestic and foreign investments to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, providing educational opportunities to train specialized professionals in the medical and health sectors, and standardizing and enhancing the quality of medical services at the regional level.”
Tabesh acknowledged the challenges associated with implementing this alliance, pointing out that “political tensions between some regional countries, financial constraints, and a lack of proper strategic planning are among the obstacles. However, as seen in other areas of regional cooperation, synergy and constructive collaboration can help overcome these difficulties.”
He also underscored Iran’s strong position in medical tourism, stating: “With its advanced healthcare infrastructure, highly skilled medical professionals, and competitive treatment costs, Iran is among the leading medical tourism destinations in the region and even worldwide. Cities such as Tehran, Mashhad, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Isfahan, renowned for their well-equipped hospitals and high standards of care, attract a large number of international patients.”
Alireza Tabesh further stated that the first international conference on “Investment Opportunities in Iran’s Medical Tourism” is set to take place in Khorramshahr and Abadan in Ordibehesht, marking the beginning of a new chapter. “We are launching this initiative from Khuzestan, Khorramshahr, and Abadan and will expand it to the country’s free trade zones and border provinces, particularly in areas with strong potential for health tourism,” he said.
He outlined key investment opportunities for both the public and private sectors, including building state-of-the-art hospitals, expanding rehabilitation centers, establishing specialized clinics, and developing dedicated accommodations for international patients. Other potential areas for investment include creating health villages, eco-lodges, and recreational facilities. “With the right collaboration and investment, Khorramshahr and Abadan can emerge as major medical tourism hubs in the region,” he added.
The CEO of HEGTA emphasized that the region stands at the threshold of a major transformation in healthcare. “The Health-Oriented Alliance presents a strategic opportunity to enhance healthcare services, attract large-scale investments, and pave the way for sustainable development. As a leading medical tourism destination in the region, Iran is prepared to take the initiative and fully utilize its capabilities to strengthen regional and international cooperation in this field,” he concluded.
