TEHRAN - The director general of the health ministry’s Persian medicine has said that consultation services are currently being offered to couples in 22 infertility treatment centers across the country.

Nafiseh Hosseini-Yekta added that the services are in line with the law on the protection of the family and youth, ISNA reported.

Referring to the health ministry’s plans to promote Persian medicine for all, she said that 29 centers run by the government and 27 centers run by the private sector offer outpatient services.

In addition to the abovementioned centers, 77 special clinics also offer healthcare services by Persian medicine experts, the official concluded.

In June, Hosseini-Yekta said that around 500 Persian medicine experts are providing health and medical treatment services across the country.

More than 1,000 general practitioners who have passed the Persian medicine courses approved by the health ministry are also offering services, she added.
Currently, nine faculties of Persian medicine enroll students in the country’s universities, she added.

Training Persian medicine experts has always been at the top of the Persian medicine office’s agenda. Therefore, different skill courses have been developed and held under the supervision of the health ministry.
Salamat Health Insurance Organization has increased the number of services for the treatment of infertile couples.

These services include 66 medicines and 29 items of medical equipment (which were previously 63 and 28 respectively), seven types of medical imaging services, such as diagnostic ultrasounds, and ovarian reserve testing for insured couples, IRNA reported.

Moreover, 16 services in genetic tests for women with habitual or recurrent abortion, and 45 services including fertility preparation are also covered by health insurance.

Those insured can receive outpatient services including medicine, tests, imaging services, physician office visits, and inpatient services.

In government centers, 90 percent of the treatment costs which are based on subsidized rates are covered, while in private centers, 90 percent of the costs which are based on free rates are covered.

Some 63,000 infertile couples have been so far registered in the health insurance system; more couples are expected to be registered and identified to be able to use the services.

Variety of services

The services include different items of medical equipment and drugs for special diseases, 56 laboratory services, 20 surgical services, four subspecialty treatments, and seven medical imaging services, Mohammad-Esmaeil Kameli, an official with the Organization, said in November 2023.

The health insurance organization covers nearly 45 million people in the country, of whom 12 million receive free health insurance coverage.

Infertility treatment

In 2022, the deputy head of the Organization said a total of 5 trillion rials (around $10 million) had been spent on infertility treatment and population growth in the first six months of the year which began on March 21.

Iran’s universal public health insurance scheme, known as Salamat Health Insurance, covers hospitalization, para-clinical, and outpatient services, including doctor’s visits, radiology, lab tests, and medication costs at any public hospital affiliated with the Ministry of Health.

Mehdi Rezaei stated that some 56 government centers, 44 private centers, and about 30 independent and non-independent public centers are contracting parties with Health insurance.

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 Guardian Council approved the law on November 17 to implement a population growth and family support plan for 7 years to change the declining trend of childbearing.

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, providing educational opportunities for student mothers, providing livelihood support to families, and ongoing medical services to pregnant women.

People highly welcome traditional medicine

On January 7, Hosseini-Yekta said surveys show that more than 80 percent of people in the country intend to benefit from Iranian traditional medicine, ILNA reported.

Their interest in traditional medicine has never faded, she said, adding that traditional medicine is being taught in universities.

Traditional medicine has its roots in the culture, customs, and traditions of Iranians and has always been of interest to them, the official highlighted.

With over five hundred graduates in the field and numerous research articles that have been published, the country has been able to improve its position by being ranked fourth in the production of science in the field of traditional medicine in the world, following China, India, and the United States.

Insurance services

Salamat Health Insurance Organization has increased the number of services for the treatment of infertile couples.

These services include 66 medicines and 29 items of medical equipment (which were previously 63 and 28 respectively), seven types of medical imaging services, such as diagnostic ultrasounds, and ovarian reserve testing for insured couples, IRNA reported.

Moreover, 16 services in genetic tests for women with habitual or recurrent abortion, and 45 services including fertility preparation are also covered by health insurance.

Those insured can receive outpatient services including medicine, tests, imaging services, physician office visits, and inpatient services.