Zahedan University of Medical Sciences

The Zahedan University of Medical Sciences at a glance

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History

During the Pahlavi era, the 'Zahedan Higher School of Health' functioned under the oversight of the Provincial Education and Training Directorate. Following the Islamic Revolution in Iran, this institution was reassigned to the Regional Health Organization of Sistan and Baluchestan Province and rebranded as the 'Hazrat Fatima Zahra (S) Educational and Training Complex', which commenced student admissions for various associate degree programs, including family health and school health. In October 1986, the Zahedan School of Medical Sciences was established at the Hazrat Fatima Zahra (S) Educational Complex, located in Mashaheer Square, Zahedan, where 50 students were enrolled in medical sciences programs and several associate degree programs. In 1987, the institution was elevated to the status of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences by the directive of the then Minister of Health.

In 2002, the Zabol School of Nursing and Midwifery gained independence from Zahedan University, rebranding itself as the Zabol School of Medical Sciences and Health Services, coinciding with the expansion of medical services across the province. Following a government delegation's visit in 2005, it was elevated to the status of Zabol University of Medical Sciences. Subsequently, in 2009, a branch of the Zahedan School of Nursing and Midwifery was established in Iranshahr city and commenced operations. This institution was detached from Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2013, incorporating its facilities, funding, and specialized staff, and was subsequently upgraded to the Iranshahr School of Medical Sciences.

Zahedan University of Medical Sciences boasts over 400 faculty members and offers 57 fields of study across six faculties, serving more than 4,100 students. To date, the university has graduated over 20,000 individuals in various disciplines and academic levels, including fellowships, specialized and subspecialized medicine and dentistry, general medicine and dentistry, as well as PhD, master's, bachelor's, and associate degrees.

This institution is characterized as a youthful and dynamic university with a global perspective. A key component of its strategic plan involves engaging in international programs. The university aims to attract international students starting in 2023, while also focusing on the development of health tourism, health diplomacy, and regional health collaboration as strategic priorities.

The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status

Under auspices of the Secretariat of the Council for Undergraduate Medical Education (SCUME), Iran’s Ministry of Health & Medical Education (MoH), all universities of medical sciences in Iran approved by MoH have met the criteria for the WFME Recognition of Accreditation Programme and are being awarded Recognition Status until 30 June 2029, pending annual monitoring of continued compliance.

WFME CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION STATUS

International Ranking of University

Zahedan University of Medical Sciences is ranked 801–1000 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. Based on this classification, the university is ranked 6001–800 in the medical field and 401–500 among Asian universities.

In November 2016, it achieved the status of the twelfth best medical university in Iran according to the Essential Science Indicators (ESI). ranking. Furthermore, since 2019, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences has been included in the global ranking framework of Islamic World Science and Technology Citation and Monitoring Institute (ISC), where it was placed in the 251–300 range in the 2023 rankings, securing the 13th position among all medical universities in the nation. Additionally, in 2025, Zahedan Medical University was ranked 23rd out of 65 medical science universities and faculties in Iran based on the Webometric ranking system of the Iranian Ministry of Health.

Schools

 School of Medicine

 School of Dentistry

 School of Allied Medical Sciences

 School of public Health

 School of Rehabilitation Sciences

 School of Nursing and Midwifery

 Khash School of Health

Vice Chancelleries

Vice Chancellor for Research and Information Technology

Vice Chancellor for Education

Vice Chancellor for Treatment Affairs

Vice Chancellor for Resource Development and Management

Vice Chancellor for Health

Vice Chancellor for Food and Drug

Vice Chancellor for Student and Cultural Affairs

Healthcare Services in Sistan and Baluchestan Province

The Province of Sistan and Baluchestan, situated in southeastern Iran, ranks as the second largest province in the country, encompassing 11% of Iran's total area. This extensive region shares approximately 1,300 kilometers of land borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, along with 300 kilometers of maritime boundaries. Despite its significant size, Sistan and Baluchestan is home to only 3.47% of Iran's population, resulting in a notably low population density of around 15 individuals per square kilometer when compared to other provinces. The health and medical services in Sistan and Baluchestan are distributed among four universities and medical schools located in Zahedan, Iranshahr, Zabol, and Chabahar, each overseeing healthcare in several of the province's 26 counties to enhance service delivery. Prior to the establishment of the Chabahar School of Medical Sciences, the health sector was managed by three existing medical universities.

Zahedan University of Medical Sciences oversees seven counties in the central area of Sistan and Baluchestan, which encompass the cities of Zahedan, Saravan, Khash, Mirjaveh, Sib and Soran, Taftan, and Golshan. The urban population in this region is 932,848, accounting for 63%, while the rural population stands at 557,473, representing 37%. Additionally, the jurisdiction of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services includes the cities of Zahedan, Mirjaveh, Khash, Saravan, Sib, and Soran. Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences is responsible for eight counties in southern Sistan and Baluchestan, which include the cities of Iranshahr, Rask, Sarbaz, Delgan, Fanoj, Mehrestan, Bampour, and Lashar, with a total population of 744,276. Zabol University of Medical Sciences manages five cities in the northern part of the province, specifically in the Sistan region, which includes Zabol, Zahak, Hamoon, Hirmand, and Nimroz, with a population of 482,725. Lastly, Chabahar Faculty of Medical Sciences oversees six cities in the Makran region, comprising Chabahar, Konarak, Nikshahr, Dashtiari, Qasr-e Qand, and Zarabad, with a total population of 550,413.

Hospitals affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences

Teaching hospitals associated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences offer a comprehensive array of secondary and tertiary healthcare services, encompassing disease diagnosis and coordinated patient management for both inpatient and outpatient care. Certain facilities include outpatient departments that provide services such as dentistry and rehabilitation. Beyond standard and subspecialty treatments, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences also offers advanced procedures including cochlear implants, infertility treatments, kidney and corneal transplants, as well as other specialized ophthalmic services.

Ali Ibne Abi Talib (AS) Tertiary Care Hospital

Khatam Al-Anbia (AS) Hospital Zahedan

 Al-Zahra Specialty and Subspecialty Hospital

 Bu Ali Infectious and Tropical Diseases Hospital

 Baharan Psychiatric Hospital

Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) Pediatric Hospital

 Dar-o-Shifa Mirjaveh Specialty Hospital

Imam Khomeini Khash Hospital

Razi Hospital Saravan

Iranmehr Hospital Saravan

Health Tourism

For approximately 35 years, Zahedan has established itself as the premier destination for medical tourism in southeastern Iran, attracting numerous international patients annually, particularly from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the nations bordering the Gulf of Oman. The city is equipped with several specialized and sub-specialized university and private hospitals, providing a comprehensive array of medical services delivered by highly qualified and experienced physicians.

At present, eight private and public hospitals and medical facilities affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences have received authorization to treat foreign patients (IPD). These facilities include Ali Ibn Abi Taleb (AS) and Al-Zahra (AS) hospitals in Zahedan, Dar Al-Shifa in Mirjaveh, Iranmehr Hospital in Saravan, as well as four additional private medical centers: Nabi Akram Hospital (AS), Pars Private Hospital, Narjes Private Infertility Center, and Shams Private Clinic.

Primary Healthcare Services

The establishment of a sophisticated Primary Health Care (PHC) network in Iran, particularly in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, has provided an exceptional opportunity to attain universal health coverage, even in the most remote regions of the nation. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized Iran as a successful model of PHC implementation globally in its 2008 report. The significant advancements in primary health care within Iran have been facilitated by a comprehensive network of health facilities, which includes health houses in rural locales and health posts in urban settings, extending to health centers and regional teaching hospitals.

The Iranian public sector has ensured the delivery of PHC services to its most isolated populations through health houses manned by rural health workers (Behvarz). Regarding public health services, a range of contemporary PHC interventions emphasizing primary preventive measures is offered at no cost to all individuals in rural and urban areas. The PHC network associated with Zahedan University comprises 367 health homes, 59 comprehensive rural health centers and posts, 14 rural maternity centers, 81 urban health posts, and 29 urban health centers.

Food and Drug Services

Zahedan University of Medical Sciences not only enhances public access to medications within the government sector but also oversees over 156 private pharmacies and 30 pharmaceutical company branches within its jurisdiction. Furthermore, the university is tasked with supervising more than 72 manufacturing units engaged in the production of food, beverages, cosmetics, and hygiene products. The Deputy of the Food and Drug Administration is responsible for issuing food import licenses following a thorough evaluation by its experts.

Research Centers and Journals

There are 10 approved research centers and a health technology park affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. Among its significant research accomplishments are the registration of 16 innovative health products and 3 intellectual property patents.

The university also publishes scientific journals across various biomedical science disciplines, with two of these journals being abstracted and indexed in esteemed international databases like ISI, while four are recognized scientific and research journals for disseminating scholarly work. All journals are published in English.

Data & Statistics