In-bound Medical Tourism is fortunately prevalent in Iran and attracts many tourists from the neighboring regions. Why? Main Stockholders Strengths factors & Main challenges Target Market, Common Treatments and Cost Comparison

1. A GLANCE AT MEDICAL TOURISM
IN
IRAN
DAVOOD SAFARI, MD

2. I.R.IRAN
Iran 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Medical Tourism has a short history in
Iran
Iranian Ministry of Health recognized Medical Tourism in
2003

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. Medical Tourists Percent per Month
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
PercentofMedicalTourists
2014
2015

11. 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.

12. 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

13. Price
USAUKIndiaThailandSingapou
r
TurkeyIranProcedure
4700080008000100001200060002800Angioplasty
1300013920100001300015000150006000Heart
bypass
(CABG)
470001200090001200014000107507500Hip
replacement
480001060085001000013000112007000Knee
replacement
The following are cost comparisons between Medical procedures
in Iran and equivalent procedures in the other Countries

14. 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