Iran is set to roll out a comprehensive management system dedicated to medical tourism across the country, following a successful pilot program in Khorasan Razavi province.

According to Hossein Nikounam, head of the Khorasan Razavi Health Tourism Association, the comprehensive system will be implemented from the beginning of the upcoming Iranian year (1404), which starts on March 21. “The pilot project, which began in October 2024 under the directive of the Ministry of Tourism, has yielded positive results. Due to its success, implementation will be mandatory nationwide in early 1404.”

Nikounam highlighted significant challenges affecting Iran's health tourism industry, including political and security tensions, the cancellation of flights, and negative media campaigns. “These factors led to a 30% decline in medical tourism in 1403 compared to the previous year. Additionally, the diversity of medical tourists has decreased, with 85% now coming from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan, primarily due to geographic proximity and religious tourism in Mashhad.

Discrepancies in official statistics further complicate the situation. Nikounam noted that some government agencies count foreign nationals who have lived in Iran for more than six months as health tourists, which distorts actual figures.