ECO chief backs Iran as ‘pioneer’ in health tourism
Secretary-General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Asad Majeed Khan on Wednesday called Iran a “symbolic leader” in regional health tourism, spotlighting the western city of Hamedan as a standout destination.
Speaking at the third ECO Health Tourism Confobition in Hamedan, Khan said the city—with its “valuable historical and medical assets”—embodies the potential of cross-border health services across member states, IRNA reported.
The three-day conference and exhibition, running through June 13, brings together officials, industry leaders, and health experts from ECO’s 10 member states. With 10 licensed international patient departments (IPDs), Hamedan is pushing to the forefront of Iran’s broader push to attract foreign medical tourists—part of a national plan to hit $6 billion in revenue by drawing 2 million health travelers by 2030.
“This is more than travel. Health tourism means knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, and sustainable development,” said Khan.
He praised Iran’s role in founding ECO, calling its health sector “a pillar” in advancing regional cooperation. Referring to Hamedan as the home of Avicenna, the father of modern medicine, he said the city offers a rare mix of medical history and clinical infrastructure.
The exhibition features forums on topics like artificial intelligence in health tourism, regional development strategies, and medical system integration across member countries. Events are held at Bu-Ali Sina University, the International Exhibition Center, and Hamedan’s Chamber of Commerce.
Deputy Health Minister Sajad Razavi underlined Iran’s leadership in the field, crediting its “geostrategic position and expert personnel.”
He said Iran acts as “a vanguard in regional health” and urged ECO nations to prioritize public health as a cornerstone of development.
“Without a health appendix, no regional growth plan is complete,” Razavi told participants. Drawing from Avicenna’s philosophy, he stressed the emotional element of healing: “Half the pain is illusion; the other half is hope.”
Iran is not just competing, it’s collaborating. Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi Amiri, who announced the imminent ratification of a comprehensive national tourism roadmap, said, “This is not a race. This is a pact for empathy, coexistence, and shared resilience.”
More than 1.2 million medical tourists visited Iran in 2023, a figure expected to nearly double in the next five years. With 28 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and cutting-edge clinics offering competitive prices, the country is leaning into its soft power to stake its claim in the health tourism market.
According to Salehi Amiri, “Health is not just an economy—it’s a language of shared humanity.”
The confobition concludes on June 13 with site visits to historical landmarks and medical centers in Hamedan, giving international delegates a closer look at the facilities licensed to treat foreign patients.