Behvarz (Rural Healthcare Workers): a link between the health system and the residents of remote areas in Iran

The Iranian public sector has provided PHC services to even its most rural populations via health houses staffed with Rural Community Healthcare Workers (Behvarz). Behvarzes are rural health workers employed by the Iranian health system. They are stationed in health houses in rural areas. Each health house is designed to cover a target population of approximately 1500 individuals.

Report from: Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Vice Chancellery for Health
Published on: 13 September 2021

The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978, which was endorsed by the WHO and its member state, emerged as a major milestone of the twentieth century in the field of public health. The declaration marked a global recognition that health and access to primary health care (PHC) are fundamental human rights and it identified PHC as the key to the attainment of the goal of "Health for All by the year 2000".

The wide range of PHC services in Iran has been complemented with impeccably recorded data. The universities of medical sciences, of which one exists in each province, play an important role in medical education and in the provision of health services. The health status of Iranians has improved over the last 40 years. For instance, maternal and child mortality rates have fallen significantly, and life expectancy at birth has risen remarkably to a regionally high level of 74 years.

The "Behvarz Day" commemoration ceremony was held by Zahedan District Health Center in one of remote areas of Zahedn (Garagheh), attended by the officials of Zahedan District Health Center. Dr. Jalil Nejati, Head of Zahedan District Helath Center thanked the efforts of the health frontline workers of the province. Dr. Nejati stated "While sincerely appreciating the efforts and activities of tens of hard-working Behvarzes in all health houses under the auspices of Zahedan District Health Center, we once again congratulate all our respected colleagues on this occasion."

Finally, Dr. Nejati emphasized the importance of the profession and its status in the health system, and identified the health manpower as the main health manpower at the forefront of disease control and prevention in remote rural areas of the province. The head of Zahedan District Health Center, stating that the honorable family of "Behvarzes" in rural and remote areas is in fact the first link in the chain of health system connection with people and health. Also, raising public awareness through education and distributing information, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic is commendable.