Nowadays, medical tourism is considered a booming industry globally as some 20 to 24 million patients travel for medical treatments annually. Estimates on market size vary, but the Patients Without Borders publishing group puts its value at around €60 to €80 billion worldwide. Rising healthcare costs, increased care needs over longer lifespans, and constant pressures on some insurance industries are why some patients opt to travel to destinations like Iran that have been able to invest rapidly in their healthcare infrastructure to satisfy surging demands. The country has set its goals to exceed its yearly medical travelers to around 2 million a year by March 2026.

But why Iran? Here we briefly try to answer. Iran boasts credible surgeons and physicians, cutting-edge medical technologies, high-tech medicine and diverse specializations, super affordable procedures within a trusted health system, and finally, it is home to many hospitable people. According to official figures, Iranian hospitals admitted 70,000 foreign patients over the last year (March 2018 – March 2019). Some 90 percent of foreign patients in Iran are from Afghanistan, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and other countries around the Persian Gulf. Iran hosted a record high of nearly 600,000 medical travelers during the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-July 21), roughly equal to the figure for the whole past year.

Medicine in Iran: A bit of history

Iran (or Persia) has long been an important center for the development of medical knowledge, so just a few traditional medical schools in the ancient world have been as comprehensive as Iranian medical schools. Hippocrates, the father of Greek medical science admits how some of his medical theoretical foundations have been adapted from the ancient Iranians. Along with a hunger for immortality, long history and advanced civilization paved the way for medical knowledge to flourish in Iran. Ancient medical schools founded in Iran, such as Gondishapur, have taught medicine for thousands of years. And Physicians such as Avicenna have been the vanguards of medical development for centuries.

 

A financially feasible and pocket-friendly destination

The number of medical travelers around the world is rapidly growing. There are 3 significant reasons for this growth:

• lower the cost of treatment and save money;
• access specific medical procedures that do not exist in one’s own country; and
• visit a doctor with an exceptional reputation.
• World-class hospitals & clinics

Iran has hundreds of hospitals with a wide range of advanced medical technology, offering high-tech medicine and diverse specializations.

Reliable Doctors, Nurses, and Medical Staff

Iran has a reputation for having experienced and skillful doctors. They are strictly trained and should also continuously equip themselves with the latest medical knowledge of the day.

Trusted Healthcare System

Medical specialists must pass extensive training and obtain professional certifications from the Iran Medical Council and the Ministry of Health before they can be allowed to perform medical and surgical treatments.

Quality Control & Accountability

Iran’s primary healthcare system has been rated as “excellent” by UNICEF. The Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) operates public hospitals, both general and specialty hospitals, throughout Iran. Public hospitals are typically under the direct management of universities. In 2016, Bloomberg News ranked Iran’s 30th most efficient healthcare system ahead of the United States and Brazil.

Advanced Medical Facilities

Medical and surgical facilities available in Iranian hospitals are also highly developed. Iran is known for its innovative hospital equipment and superior medical engineering. Almost all Iran’s private hospitals have a high level of imaging facilities, specialized clinics, 3D ultrasound, MRI, and other diagnostic imaging medical systems.

Great Affordability

The cost of medical services in Iran is approximately a third of similar health care services in countries like the UK and the U.S. As the Iranian rial is suffering from unprecedented devaluation, treatments in Iran are affordable compared to many western countries and even those within the western Asian region.

No Waiting Lists

You can obtain swift access to most medical treatments and services you need.

Legendary Hospitality

Iranians are known for their authentic hospitality and their love of outsiders. This spirit is easily felt in the medical travel industry. In Iran, you can feel at home!

Popular Treatments

As a medical tourism destination, Iran has credibility in various medical fields. These include (but are not limited to):

• Infertility treatment
• Cancer treatment
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Pre IVF Consultations and Investigations
• Orthopedics – Joint Replacement
• Dental Treatments
• Orthopedic surgery
• Neurology and neurosurgery
• Cardiology and cardiac surgery
• Obesity treatment
• Ophthalmology

Iran is also one of the top destinations for disease diagnosis and comprehensive health check-ups.

What to expect!

Rigid cast-iron laws and regulations in the Iranian medical system support the health and safety of the healthcare environments in the country. A hygienic environment and the clear, up to par outcomes of medical practices are the least that international patients expect from Iranian hospitals. Full medical consultation and comprehensive follow-up care can be expected when you go to Iranian hospitals or doctors.

Hospitals that work in the international healthcare market must obtain necessary licenses from the Ministry of Health under the IPD (international patient department) license. This license requires hospitals to comply with international standards for providing health services to medical tourists.

Beyond Medical Needs – Holistic Medicine

In addition to the medical tourism facilities and conditions mentioned above, Iran also is an attractive destination for health and wellness services such as spas therapy, preventative care, rehabilitation, and the treatment of chronic diseases. There are about 300 mineral-rich springs across the nation with the ability to develop as health towns, water therapies, hotel therapies, and other holistic health and wellness services.

Last but not least, a must-see tourism destination

Iran, formally known as Persia before 1935, with a history of more than 5000 years, is home to 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, dazzling natural landscapes, delicious cuisine, and one of the most hospitable people on earth should be the next destination on your travel bucket list.

 

ZHIVAR TRAVEL MEDICAL TOURISM SERVICES

As Zhivar tour & travel agency, founded by Zhivar Group, started its activity in the field of outbound and inbound cultural tourism over a decade ago, Zhivar established its Medical Tourism Department with the approval of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism in the field of Medical Tourism. in 2023 and has facilitated over 50 medical tours in partnership with the Iranian Healthcare systems since 2023.

Zhivar’s Medical Tourism Department facilitates various cosmetic and medical procedures with the best quality and affordable prices worldwide. Our goal is to set you on a prolific journey to improve and maintain your precious health. We help and support you with end to end services from arrival to departure through the following steps:

Initial Medical Consultation with our physicians

Our experts provide free online consultation to help you with all you need to know about your procedure and travel.

Travel Arrangements

Have everything you need for your travel arranged by us, including your visa, hotel or apartment, hotel transportation, translator, personal assistant, and more.

Airport Pick-up & Transportation

A private guide and interpreter, airport pick-up, and door-to-door city transportation will be provided to you upon arrival.

Access to VIP Hospitals & Clinics

Receive your surgery and treatment at upscale clinics and hospitals with first-class services and professional staff.

24/7 Around the Clock Assistance

Our trained support team is at your service every moment throughout your stay to assist you with anything, including your recovery after surgery.

Follow-up

Stay in touch with us for as long as you wish to ask your questions about your recovery and get follow-up medical advice. Zhivar’s Medical Tourism Department will be happy to assist you with the following cosmetic medical procedures:

• Rhinoplasty: Open rhinoplasty and close rhinoplasty
• Revision rhinoplasty
• Septoplasty
• Bulbose rhinoplasty
• Cheek lift
• Eyebrow lift
• Eyebrow transplant
• Cheek augmentation
• Facelift
• Neck lift
• Buccal fat removal
• Lip augmentation
• V Line Jaw Surgery
• Jawline liposuction
• Chin implant
• Fillers for face
• Temple lift
• Forhead reduction
• Belapharosty
• Canthoplasty (cat eye)
• Fat transfer below the eye
• Liposuction: Full liposuction 360
• Arm lift
• Thigh Lift
• Dimple creation surgery
• Tummy tuck/Abdominoplasty
• Lipomatic
• Brazilian Butt Lift
• Butt lift with implant
• Breast implant
• Breast implant with Patient’s Fat
• Breast reduction
• Breast lift
• Hair transplant
• Otoplasty
• Botox
• Hair transplant
• Vaginoplasty/Labioplasty
• Dental veneers
• Dental Implants

For more information on medical tourism in Iran or to plan for your medical procedure in Iran, please get in touch with one of our Medical Tourism team members at www.zhivarmed.net