How Iran is doubling down on medical tourism
Despite international sanctions and economic instability, Iran’s medical tourism sector is increasingly attracting Muslim patients with offerings that cater specifically to their needs, such as halal pharmaceuticals, same-gender physicians, and competitive treatment costs.
Over the past year alone, the country welcomed an estimated 1.2 million medical tourists, contributing approximately $1 billion to the economy, according to state-owned media. This growth reflects a rising global demand for Iran’s affordable, high-quality healthcare services.
Globally, the demand for medical tourism continues to rise, fueled by factors such as lengthy waiting times in public healthcare systems, high costs of private treatment, and inadequate insurance coverage in many countries.
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