Fatemeh Mohammadbeigi told Khaneh Mellat that in Chapter 14 of the 7th Development Plan, which focuses on strengthening the health system, a total of 108 provisions were evaluated: 30 were implemented on time, 12 were implemented late, and 66 have yet to be executed. According to the assessment, the chapter scored 36.11%—a figure given optimistically; a more realistic evaluation would be lower.

She emphasized that the most critical challenge in Chapter 14 is budget and funding. Until the health sector’s share of GDP increases, key programs such as the referral system and family physician initiative—which are central to achieving equity in healthcare and reducing out-of-pocket costs—cannot be fully implemented.

Mohammadbeigi also highlighted delays in electronic health infrastructure, essential for the family physician system. For instance, the electronic health roadmap, which should have been approved three months after the law’s enactment, was delayed by ten months and only approved after parliamentary questioning of the Minister of Health. Such delays in regulations and executive guidelines are among the major obstacles.

Addressing the human resources crisis, she noted a serious shortage of nurses and doctors. Although 25,000 nurses were supposed to be recruited annually, only about 12,500 were hired, leaving the system unable to meet the actual needs, particularly for family physicians.

Mohammadbeigi concluded that the current lack of cohesion, capacity, and commitment in the Ministry of Health must be addressed; otherwise, the goals of the 7th Development Plan in the health sector cannot be achieved.

End of message.