The Ministry of Health held separate virtual meetings with medical representatives from Kazakhstan and Belarus via webinar on Monday to enhance bilateral interaction in various fields.
During these meetings, directions for improving cooperation in the areas of medical education, research and technology, pharmaceuticals and vaccines, medical equipment, medical services, pre-hospital emergency care, medical tourism, cancer treatment, and organ transplantation were discussed, according to IRNA. Participants agreed to establish specialized subcommittees and activate ties through diplomatic channels. These committee meetings are planned to be held every six months; the next meetings are scheduled for November to discuss joint operational plans.
Discussion of ties between Iran, Belarus, and Kazakhstan
In June, Mehdi Pirsalehi, head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Belarusian Ambassador to Iran Dmitry Koltsov examined opportunities to strengthen ties in the healthcare sector, particularly regarding the supply of medicines and medical equipment, as well as accelerating medical trade exchange. In Tehran, Koltsov stated his country's readiness to support the import of medicines and pharmaceutical raw materials from Iran.
The Belarusian official emphasized the importance of using reliable banking mechanisms and official trade channels to ensure the stability of the supply chain for pharmaceutical products needed by Belarusian citizens. For his part, Pirsalehi noted the country's high potential in producing quality medicines and medical devices and called for the removal of possible obstacles to the export of vital goods. The parties agreed to continue technical consultations to create an appropriate platform for introducing high-quality Iranian medical products into the assortment of Belarusian health goods.
Self-sufficiency in medicines and medical equipment
Minister of Health Mohammad Reza Zafarkandi stated that issues of drug and medical equipment production, as well as achieving self-sufficiency in these areas, are one of the government's priorities. He added that medicine and medical equipment are two important spheres related to people's health, and they strive for self-sufficiency in the supply of these goods.
The head of the Iranian Medical Equipment Producers and Exporters Union reported that in 2025, medical equipment worth about 20 million dollars is exported annually to more than 60 countries. According to Abdolreza Yakubzadeh, more than 70 percent of medical equipment and 100 percent of standard hospital beds are produced domestically. Furthermore, over 95 percent of specialized intensive care units (ICU) and critical care units (CCU), as well as over 85 percent of operating room equipment, such as ventilators and other equipment, are manufactured in the country using advanced technologies.
Yakubzadeh also specified that the country's need for medical equipment production is between three and four billion dollars annually, of which about one billion dollars is imported. About 600 companies engaged in medical equipment manufacturing operate in the country, providing about 99 percent of drugs supplied to the domestic market. Medical equipment manufacturers produce and supply over 10,000 types of medical equipment to both domestic and foreign markets, and various types of laboratory equipment are now being manufactured at prices significantly lower than similar foreign products.