The parliament on Monday overwhelmingly approved a new health minister, signaling support for changes in a vital sector that has been negatively affected by renewed US sanctions.
Saeed Namaki won a vote of confidence to take over the Ministry of Health and Medical Education during a session held weeks after his predecessor, Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi, resigned over proposed budget cuts.
Of the 259 lawmakers present, 229 voted in favor of President Hassan Rouhani’s nominee for health minister, while 25 voted against him, four abstained and one vote was invalid, IRNA reported.
Rouhani delivered a speech to defend his pick, in which he hailed Namaki’s academic and professional record and thanked the previous health minister for his efforts to overhaul the health sector, the presidential website reported.
Hashemi is widely seen as the key official behind the 2014 launch of an ambitious plan for wide-ranging medical insurance, which Rouhani described as a valuable legacy.
US President Donald Trump reintroduced sanctions on Iran last year, targeting in particular the country’s lifeblood oil sector, after pulling out of a 2015 nuclear deal. The move had led to restrictions on trade in humanitarian goods, including medicine and medical devices.
Namaki said he will bring more transparency to the health sector and will work closely with the parliament
The United States claims that its embargoes do not target humanitarian transactions, but financial and banking constraints have hampered the health sector's ability to import vital medicines.
The sanctions, compounded by economic mismanagement, also helped depress the value of the national currency and aggravate inflation, which has been reflected in the annual state budget recently presented by the president.
Healthcare Initiatives
Rouhani said his proposed health minister is capable of implementing initiatives that can improve public health and facilitate people’s access to better and more modern medical care.
He noted that one of the main priorities is improving the electronic health record system to streamline medical processes and enhance efficiency.
The president said another measure that should be taken by Health Ministry officials is to better organize post-treatment services so that patients can recover faster.
According to the president, special attention should be paid to medical education since competent medical students and graduates can play a very influential role in improving healthcare.
“Our medical institutions should undergo reforms, and it is one of the main responsibilities of the new minister of health and medical education to help make it happen,” he said, adding that the country should achieve self-sufficiency in the pharmaceutical industry.
Rouhani called on health and tourism officials to join hands and help Iran become a major medical tourism destination.
Namaki defended his track record during a speech in the parliamentary session, promising to complete all the delayed projects.
He also vowed to bring more transparency to the health sector and work closely with the parliament to make amendments for advancing health initiatives.
