Registering at the Comprehensive System of Patient Reception; Hospitals Receiving IPD International Certificate

Executive Deputy of Office for Supervision and Accreditation of Treatment in the Ministry of Health said: hospitals and centers that obtain the IPD certificate will be registered in a comprehensive system which is available for countries willing to receive treatment services from Iran.

The national conference on health tourism concluded successfully at Homa Hotel number 1 in Mashhad after three days, and the related organizations and firms which participated in this conference and its exhibition welcomed it warmly.

Therefore, we took this opportunity to have an intimate interview with Dr. Ali Meshkini, the Executive Deputy of Office for Supervision and Accreditation of Treatment in the Ministry of Health and ask his opinion in this regard.

Firstly, explain about the significance of health tourism in Iran and express your opinion in this regard.

The health tourism industry and the status of our country should, rightly, be enhanced by considering potentials and capabilities in the area of medical services in order to attract tourists from various countries including neighboring Muslim countries; in this regard, holding such conferences will be effective.

How would you evaluate the fourth health tourism conference?

Regarding its dimensions, holding this conference is very important; especially the role of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences that was able to hold the conference based on current international topics is significant.

This conference set the grounds for expressing the needs of various health centers especially in provinces that receive international patients because they have various geographical, cultural attractions and medical potentials (to expand health tourism).

Executive Deputy of Office for Supervision and Accreditation of Treatment in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education explained: the exhibition that was held at the side of this conference featuring tourism experts led to information exchange and the participants’ interest in this conference was considerable.

This conference could finally receive a warm welcome from the side of the authorities in the area of health tourism and achieve success. Expert panels and lectures also played an important role in this regard.

Where does Mashhad University of Medical Sciences stand among other universities in the area of health tourism?

This province is very advanced and has been continuously successful in this area. At the same time, the authorities of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences have tried hard in the area of health tourism.

The special interest of Muslims and particularly Shi’as to travel to this city with regard to spiritual dimensions of the Holy Shrine Imam Reza on the one hand, and advancements in medical services and facilities in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences on the other hand distinguishes this province from other provinces.

What is the role of the Ministry of Health in supporting universities for health tourism?

There are good potentials in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in this regard, and attempts are made that they are used in the areas of policy-making, organization, and health tourism.

For example, a department called International Patients Department (IPD) was established in hospitals, and it was warmly welcomed in Mashhad like other provinces.

In this department, a certificate called IPD which is determined after evaluations are made and the required indices and criteria set by the Ministry of Health are recorded is granted to hospitals and up to now, 80 hospitals have been able to receive this certificate.

What potential does this certificate create for hospitals that receive them?

Hospitals and centers that receive the IPD certificate will be registered in a comprehensive system that is available for countries interested in receiving health services from Iran.

Meanwhile, I should note to a proficiency and educational course for technical authorities working in health tourism companies that is held based on an accord between the Office for Supervision and Accreditation of Treatment in the Ministry of Health and Iran University of Medical Sciences.

Would you tell us more about this course?

These courses have topics about which authorities active in health tourism companies can support the status of our country economically with a seven billion market.

Of course, cultural, employment and political aspects are important in this regard and we hope they will be realized by health tourism plans.

What is your perspective about the future of health tourism?

Our perspective is very clear. Should groups that, for example, gathered here in this conference be able to continue their interaction and paly their role as loops of a chain, the future will definitely be very promising.

Finally, I should mention to the Strategic Council for Health Tourism made up of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Commerce Chamber, the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization and the Medical Council.

This council can make a great contribution to cooperation and interaction among all related organizations that is required for the success of health tourism.