Alireza Sharifi Yazdi, a sociologist and member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Iran, referring to the increase in the migration of doctors and nurses from the country, said: "The essence of the matter is that unfortunately, migration among our doctors and nurses has significantly increased, and this issue may indicate several factors."
Reasons for the Migration of Healthcare Personnel
Sharifi Yazdi explained the reasons for the migration of specialized health personnel, stating: "The primary reason for migration in Iran is not the attraction of the destination, but the repulsion of the origin. The existing economic, social, political, cultural, and educational problems in the country have made individuals strongly inclined to migrate, especially in the medical and paramedical fields."
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He stated that Iran is facing challenges in retaining specialized human resources, saying: "Our country currently lacks the necessary capacity to retain its human resources, both due to limited facilities and salary payments and due to the absence of stable social conditions. For this reason, the motivation to migrate among individuals is increasing day by day."
Consequences of the Migration of Healthcare Personnel
Sharifi Yazdi pointed out the tendency of students in medical and paramedical fields to migrate, saying: "Studies conducted on students in general medicine, specialty courses, and paramedical fields, especially nursing, show that many of these students are looking to leave the country at the first opportunity after graduation."
In response to a question about the consequences of the continued migration of medical personnel for society and the health system in Iran, he said: "In the nursing sector, we currently have nearly 100,000 nurses below the national standards. This shortage severely impacts our nursing system and creates many problems and challenges for patients."
Sharifi Yazdi also added: "The migration of elite and knowledgeable doctors creates a significant gap in the health and treatment system and may turn the country into a medical tourism destination."
He warned about the current migration trend, saying: "If this trend continues, in the coming years, this issue will definitely extend to local doctors in other countries as well."
Sharifi Yazdi emphasized: "Two factors have slowed down this trend, but these obstacles do not necessarily eliminate the motivation to migrate. As soon as conditions return to normal, migration statistics will certainly increase again."
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