TEHRAN – The Vice Presidency for Science and Technology plans to support knowledge-based companies working on supplying medicine and equipment for infertility treatment.

Technological and innovative projects in the field of "drugs, products and new methods in the treatment of infertility", "effective equipment in the treatment of infertility" and "increasing the quality of services and products in the field of infertility" are supported.

The companies should help the government in the implementation of the "Law on Family and Youth Support", IRNA reported.

The law on family and youth support is to provide health insurance for infertile couples and working women, and educational opportunities for student mothers.

By a decree issued by President Ebrahim Raisi, the "Law on Family and Youth Support" approved by the Majlis (Iranian Parliament) was notified to the Ministry of Health and the Vice Presidency for Women and Family Affairs.

The plan stipulates health insurance for infertile couples, providing services and facilities to working women, providing health and nutrition support packages to mothers and children, educational opportunities for student mothers, providing livelihood support to families, and ongoing medical services to pregnant women; if implemented properly.

Challenges facing Iranian population growth

Productive and young manpower is a factor in the economic and social growth of countries. Certainly, every society needs a young population to walk the path of development.

The first clause of the general population policies states that the development, dynamism, maturity, and youth population of a nation depend on the increase in the fertility rate and population growth.

Iran is experiencing below-replacement fertility — lower than 2.1 children per woman — which indicates that a generation is not producing enough children to replace itself, eventually leading to an outright reduction in population.

According to the population and housing census, the average population growth has decreased in recent years, and this declining trend is a serious warning.

The country’s elderly population is projected to nearly double over the next 20 years, while this trend will occur in other countries over the next 100 years.

The aging population and its negative effects will penetrate into the political, economic, and security position of the country in the region and the world.

FB/MG