Shiraz: A key hub for medical tourism in West Asia

Pars Today – Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran’s Fars Province has taken major steps toward turning the city into a regional hub for medical tourism in West Asia by signing a cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan and planning to expand talks with other neighboring countries.

As part of a long-term strategy and drawing on its scientific and medical capabilities, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in southern Iran is accelerating efforts to position Shiraz as one of the leading medical tourism centers in West Asia. According to Pars Today, the initiative is designed to attract international patients and expand cross-border cooperation in the health sector.

In an interview with IRNA, Abdolkhalegh Keshavarzi, the university’s vice president for development, management, and resources, said a memorandum of understanding has been signed with Uzbekistan and that efforts are underway to broaden scientific and medical cooperation with neighboring countries. He noted that the university is determined to attract more patients to Shiraz by establishing joint offices and facilitating the deployment of faculty members.

Keshavarzi emphasized that a strong agreement has been concluded between the university president and officials from Uzbekistan.

Expanding regional cooperation in medical tourism

He added that Shiraz University of Medical Sciences is seeking to expand medical tourism cooperation with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and the regional countries of Oman and Qatar, among others. Plans are in place to establish joint offices with these countries, and the university’s tourism committee has already approved a framework allowing faculty members to travel abroad to examine patients. However, Keshavarzi stressed that the university’s main goal is to treat patients in Iran, rather than sending Iranian doctors overseas to perform surgeries or medical procedures.

Referring to opportunities with Tajikistan, he said the country has shown strong interest in Shiraz and that this opportunity should not be missed. He also noted that Iraq is one of the largest sources of medical tourists, with many Iraqi patients traveling to Shiraz for treatment.