Behvarz Training Program an incredible masterpiece in public health interventions in Iran
Dr. Mohsen Barooni, Director of the Network Management Center, Iran’s Ministry of Health, said at the Behvarz Day commemoration ceremony that was held in Zahedan: “Behvarz (rural healthcare workers) training program is a successful model for providing primary health care services in rural areas. This program has played an important role in reducing maternal mortality and children mortality, controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases and improving health status [of people residing in rural areas]”.
Report from: Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, International Affairs Office
Published on: 06 January 2024
According to public relations report, Dr. Mohsen Barooni, Director of the Network Management Center, Iran’s Ministry of Health, said at the Behvarz Day commemoration ceremony that was held in Zahedan: “Behvarz (rural healthcare workers) training program is a successful model for providing primary health care services in rural areas. This program has played an important role in reducing maternal mortality and children mortality, controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases and improving health status [of people residing in rural areas]”.
He stated that the people's trust in Behvarzes has played an important role in the success of this program at the country level and said: “ Behvarzes presence in rural areas, responsibility, skill, service provision and good attitude of Behvarzes have made people to trust and use these services provided by healthcare workers.”
He continued: In Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, in spite of covering scattered underprivileged population residing in this province, the health system has worked well and their endeavor has led to the improvement of the people's health status in these areas”.
Dr. Habib Ghaznavi, the Chancellor of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, also said: “In addition to improving the health status of the rural community, health houses have a positive impact on the culture of the community”.
He continued: “Behvarzes help people improve their lifestyle by providing health services and health education”.
He added: “The structure of primary health care (PHC) is a very successful model for providing health care that focuses on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and our general policies should be based on reinforcing and strengthening the PHC principles in service provision”.
The Chancellor of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences added: The establishment of the health care system in the 60s was a long-term investment that had a positive impact on the health of people in rural and remote areas.
Dr. Ghaznavi said: “Our health care structure in the Islamic Republic of Iran can be a solution to the global health system. In our beloved country of Iran, considering that more than forty years have passed since the implementation of this plan, there is a need to revise this plan”.
Dr. Mehdi Zanganeh, Vice Cahncellor for Health of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, also said in this conference: “Currently, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences has 450 Behvarzes on staff along with Behvarz 4 training centers and 150 trainees have been enrolled to the program.”
He continued: As the frontline defenders of the health system, in remote villages, with all the obstacles including the impassability of the roads, they help to preserve the health of their compatriots”.
Dr. Zanganeh added: “In addition to providing primary healthcare services, Behvazes have been proved as role models in ethics and humanity in the society”.
Dr. Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, a pioneers in primary health care services management said: “For more than 4 decades, behvarzes have been providing health care services for all age groups living in villages and hard to reach rural areas”.
He continued: "As a result of the implementation of the Behvarz program the health status of rural dwellers has significantly improved, as reflected in an increase in the life expectancy and significant decline in mortality”.
He added: “Human development could be considered as the main achievement of the Behvarz program”.
Dr. Tabatabaei added: “Considering all the successes and achievements of the program, it would be prudent to explore the areas for improvement through a meticulous audit and continuous monitoring and evaluation of program. A cost-benefit analysis is needed to produce the relevant evidence for decision-makers and other stakeholders in public health planning and budgeting”.
It is worth mentioning that in the event that was held on the occasion of Behvarz Day, a number of exemplary Behvzes from Zahedan University of Medical Sciences with awards and certificates of appreciation.
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