Iranian Firms Showcase Innovations at Health Asia Expo in Pakistan
Iran is making significant strides in the medical sector, as evidenced by the participation of six Iranian companies in the prestigious Health Asia International Exhibition and Conference, held from October 23-25 in Karachi, Pakistan. This event serves as a platform to showcase the latest advancements in healthcare and medical technology.
The Iranian pavilion is highlighting the nation’s remarkable achievements in various fields, including:
- Infertility treatment
- Medical and therapeutic kits
- Laparoscopy
- Pharmaceutical industry innovations
Leading the Iranian delegation is Morad Nemati-Zargaran, Iran’s commercial attaché in Pakistan. During the exhibition, he met with Muhammad Ubaidullah Malik, the CEO of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation between the two countries.
The Health Asia International Exhibition and Conference stands out as the largest annual event in Pakistan dedicated to the health and medical industry. It features an extensive array of products and services, including:
- Medical equipment
- Surgical instruments
- Disposable hospital supplies
- Dental instruments and equipment
- Pharmaceutical products
- Hospital furniture
- Diagnostic equipment
- Laboratory supplies
In March, Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi emphasized the government’s commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in the production of medicine and medical equipment. He stated, “Medicine and medical equipment are two important areas related to people’s health. We are trying to reach self-sufficiency for the supply of medicine and medical equipment,” as reported by IRNA.
In 2024, the head of Iran’s Union of Medical Equipment Manufacturers and Exporters revealed that the country exports medical equipment worth approximately $20 million to over 60 countries annually. This demonstrates Iran’s growing influence in the global medical market.
According to Abdolreza Yaqoubzadeh, more than 70 percent of medical equipment and 100 percent of standard hospital beds are produced domestically. He further highlighted that:
- Over 95 percent of ICU and CCU beds
- More than 85 percent of operating room medical equipment, including anesthesia machines, are manufactured using advanced technology in Iran.
Yaqoubzadeh also pointed out that the country’s annual demand for medical equipment production ranges from $3 billion to $4 billion, with approximately $1 billion of this being met through imports. Currently, around 600 medical equipment companies operate within Iran, supplying nearly 99 percent of the medicine available in the domestic market.
The innovation and efficiency of Iranian manufacturers are notable, as they produce and supply over 10,000 types of medical equipment for both domestic and international markets. Moreover, various laboratory equipment is now manufactured at significantly lower prices compared to foreign counterparts.
On May 12, 2024, health ministry official Ahmad Moslemi announced that Iran has achieved a remarkable milestone, with 50 percent of medical devices being manufactured domestically. This achievement places Iran in the leading position in West Asia in terms of both the quantity and diversity of medical equipment produced. He noted that Iranian-made medical devices worth around $50 million are exported to 40 countries each year.
The participation of Iranian companies in the Health Asia International Exhibition and Conference is a testament to the country’s growing capabilities in the medical field. With a focus on innovation and self-sufficiency, Iran is poised to make an indelible mark on the global health landscape.
