Iran Faces a Growing Shortage of Anesthesiologists
A severe shortage of anesthesiologists in Iran is threatening to compromise the quality of healthcare services, according to a warning issued by the Iranian Society of Anesthesiology.
Dr. Alireza Salehi, president of the 16th International Congress of Anesthesiology, has highlighted the issue of inadequate compensation and unattractive working conditions for anesthesiologists as the primary reasons behind the shortage. He warned that if this trend continues, Iranian patients may be forced to seek medical treatment abroad.
“Despite the fact that Iran possesses a high level of expertise in anesthesia, the low pay and lack of incentives have made the specialty less appealing to medical graduates,” said Dr. Salehi. “Consequently, many universities are facing a significant shortage of students enrolling in anesthesiology programs.”
The issue of inadequate compensation is particularly acute in the private sector, where anesthesiologists often receive as little as 300,000 tomans (approximately $12) per hour-long surgery. In public hospitals, the pay is even lower.
“This low income, combined with the demanding nature of the job, has led to a brain drain in the field of anesthesiology,” Dr. Salehi added.
The shortage of anesthesiologists has raised concerns about the quality of care for patients undergoing surgery, particularly in rural areas. If the situation is not addressed, experts warn that Iran may face a crisis in healthcare, with patients being forced to wait longer for surgeries or travel abroad for treatment.
The 16th International Congress of Anesthesiology, which will be held from November 16 to 18, will address the issue of the shortage of anesthesiologists and explore potential solutions. Experts will discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of anesthesia and the importance of investing in education and training to attract more medical graduates to the field.
