Iran is facing a growing crisis in its healthcare system as interest in general surgery plummets among medical students, the Iranian General Surgeons Association has warned.
Farzad Panahi, secretary of the association and a board member of the Iranian Surgeons Society, said many general surgery positions remain unfilled, with some universities seeing only 8 or 9 students enrolling for 40 available spots.
“Although the current distribution of surgeons across the country is adequate, the gradual retirement of existing surgeons without replacements will create serious challenges,” Panahi said.
The decline is attributed to financial difficulties, psychological stress, low income, and insufficient support for those entering the field, IranWire reported.
Economic pressures are especially burdensome for young, married physicians living in major cities.
Panahi urged the Ministry of Health to revise its policies to better support physicians and residents. He warned that failure to act could leave Iran unprepared for emergencies and pose “serious risks to public health.”
