Health Minister Announces Exciting Relaunch of Family Physician Program This Year!
The Family Physician Program is set to launch during the current Iranian year, which began on March 21. This initiative, as announced by Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi, aims to transform healthcare delivery through significant reforms and enhanced patient pathways. The program emphasizes social behavior change and requires extensive collaboration among various stakeholders, including the Health Ministry, local governors, and relevant provincial institutions.
Zafarqandi highlighted the necessity of establishing a national headquarters, led by the President, to ensure cohesive management of the program. This strategic coordination is crucial for the program’s success, given its large-scale nature.
“We have already reached agreements on ten key issues such as:
- Financial resources
- Location
- Implementation stages
- Public information dissemination
Moreover, the chancellors of medical sciences universities will convene this week to finalize the implementation model for the program,” Zafarqandi noted.
The roots of the Family Physician Program can be traced back to 2005 when it was first launched to focus on villages and cities with populations of less than 20,000. The goal was to streamline treatment referrals and enhance access to healthcare services in these areas, as reported by ISNA.
The key features of the Family Physician Program include:
- Periodic health examinations
- Continuous monitoring of individuals’ health
- 24/7 access to essential services and primary care
- Regular doctor visits
This program offers a wide range of services, including:
- Medical care
- Dental services
- Mental health support
- Midwifery care
- Nutrition counseling
- Laboratory services
- Pharmaceutical assistance
- Medical imaging
Under the Family Physician Program, healthcare providers are allocated based on the rural population. Specifically, for every 3,300 villagers, there is one physician, and for every 5,200 residents, there is a midwife.
In September 2023, Mohsen Barouni, a health ministry official, reported on the program’s progress: “The Family Physician Program has been implemented in three phases. In the first phase, 59 cities were included; in the second phase, this number increased to 93 cities. Currently, a total of 182 cities are covered by the program, benefiting over 20 million Iranians,” as stated by IRNA.
The Family Physician Program not only aims to improve healthcare access but also strives to enhance the overall health status of the population through systematic and preventive care. This initiative represents a significant step toward modernizing Iran’s healthcare system, ensuring that all citizens have access to essential health services.
As the program moves forward, the Health Ministry is committed to addressing any challenges that may arise during its implementation. Continuous feedback from healthcare providers and the communities served will be vital in refining the program and ensuring its success.
In conclusion, the Family Physician Program is poised to revolutionize healthcare in Iran by fostering a more integrated and accessible system. With strong governmental support and collaboration among various stakeholders, the program aims to set a new standard for public health in the country.
