Iran approves five new national health strategies
Iran has approved five national health policy documents at a meeting of the Supreme Council for Health and Food Security, chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on October 25.
The documents cover disease prevention, drinking water quality, climate change, early childhood development and disaster risk management, IRNA reported on Sunday.
They include a national plan to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases; a five-year strategy to improve drinking water quality from 2026 to 2031; a national strategy on health and climate change; a document on early childhood development; and a comprehensive framework for disaster risk management in the health system.
“Protecting public health should be a priority for all government ministries, agencies and officials,” Pezeshkian said during the meeting.
He called for closer coordination among state institutions and provincial governors, greater public participation and efforts to reduce inequality in access to health and education services.
“The government aimed to protect people from health risks through collective action rather than relying solely on orders and directives,” he added.
Pezeshkian also stressed the importance of physical and mental health, public awareness and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, in implementing government programs.
The president said social problems threatens public health and linked tensions in January to what he described as social problems, without providing further details.
He urged officials to address young people’s needs and concerns, saying public trust is essential to securing support for government initiatives.
Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi said the ministry is seeking to shift its approach from treatment to prevention.
He said effective implementation requires coordination among ministries, government agencies and provincial authorities.
Pezeshkian added that the government is working almost daily to expand and equip schools and improve education. He described raising capable, committed, honest and creative children as essential to the country’s future.