Health Minister Warns of Liquidity Crisis in Medical Equipment; Insurers Are in Debt

TEHRAN – The health minister has named the liquidity shortage as one of the most serious problems facing Iran's medical equipment industry, saying that insurers' debts have made it difficult to secure funding for the sector.

According to Mehr reporter, Iran's Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, Mohammad Reza Zafarqandi, during his visit to the exhibition of medical, dental, laboratory and pharmaceutical equipment before noon on Tuesday, considered the lack of liquidity as one of the most important challenges of the medical equipment industry and said that the government is following measures to provide financial resources for this sector, including through the program and budget organization, insurances and pursuing other solutions.

Referring to the experience of hospitals during recent wars, Mr. Zafarkandi said: the medical equipment industry and the group of activists in this field, from domestic producers to importers and the private sector, have played an important role in maintaining the stability of medical services; However, financial problems are still one of the main obstacles to the activity of this industry.

He explained: In the early days of the Ramadan war, when he visited different hospitals, it was reported that there was a lack of contrast material needed for CT scan imaging, but subsequent follow-ups showed that some of these items are available in the warehouses of medical sciences universities, and with his order, the process of distributing them was accelerated.

The Minister of Health said: At first, some centers were cautious in distributing the available items due to the concern of shortage in the following days, but after follow-up, this problem was resolved.

Referring to the financial problems of the medical equipment industry, Zafarkandi said: lack of liquidity is one of the daily concerns of the Ministry of Health, and to solve it, several meetings have been held with the President and the head of the Program and Budget Organization.

According to him, using papers and pursuing other solutions are also on the agenda.

He also considered the insurance debt in the medicine, medical equipment and human resources related issues as important problems in this field and said: solving this issue requires the cooperation of the Ministry of Health, the Program and Budget Organization and insurance companies.

The Minister of Health asked the activists of the medical equipment industry to pursue their problems through official channels, including direct correspondence with the President.

He said: The experience of the pharmaceutical sector has shown that direct reflection of problems to the president and follow-up orders can be effective in moving things forward, and he expressed hope that medical equipment activists will also use this path to raise their demands.

In another part of his speech, Zafar Qandi, referring to the restrictions caused by the siege and war conditions, said: the combination of these conditions has made it difficult to meet the needs of the country.

At the same time, he emphasized the necessity of national solidarity and cooperation between different sectors to overcome problems.

He said: For Iran, we are all gathered around one flag in the name of Iran

He added: Health activists, including doctors and medical equipment manufacturers, should appreciate the country's capacities and people's support.

Also referring to his experience as a university professor and doctor, the Minister of Health said: the opportunity to study and work professionally in the country is provided with the support of people and public resources, and this issue increases the responsibility of health activists towards the society.

Zafarkandi further described the role of medical equipment in saving the lives of patients as one of the most important motivations for activity in this field.

Referring to the treatment of heart patients in angiography departments, he said: access to equipment such as stents can change the condition of a patient who is at risk of death in a short period of time.

He considered the round-the-clock activity of the treatment staff and the readiness of the treatment centers to provide urgent services as important manifestations of the resilience of the health system and appreciated the producers, importers and other activists in this field for their efforts.

In the end, the Minister of Health expressed his hope that with the cooperation of the government and the activists of the medical equipment industry, the financial problems of this sector will be reduced and the country's capacity to provide medical services to the people will be maintained.