Tehran (IP) - Iran's president emphasised that the medical staff, as health defenders, received a good score on the front line of the fight against coronavirus with their selflessness.

Iran Press/Iran news: Congratulating the birthday of the first Shia Imam, Imam Ali's daughter Zaynab (PBUH) and the National Nurses' Day, President Hassan Rouhani said: "In the last 7 years, 36,000 new hospital beds have been added, 40% of hospital beds have been completely renovated, and the number of ICU beds has more than doubled."

Speaking on Sunday evening at the ceremony celebrating the National Nurses' Day, Rouhani said: "Today, the medical staff responsible for the country's health is not only trusted by Iranians but also by non-Iranians, and the fact that people living in Europe visit Iran when they need a surgery is an honour for Iran."

Praising the selflessness, self-sacrifice and dedication of the medical staff, especially nurses, the President said: "Without a doubt, the self-sacrifice of these dear ones will be recorded in history, and the Iranian nation will never forget their services."

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran also described Zaynab (PBUH) as an irreplaceable model of the nurses.

He stated that the health sector was one of the priorities of the government of Prudence and Hope, including the election promises in 2013, and said: "Since the beginning of the 11th government, we have put the implementation of the Healthcare Reform Plan on the agenda, and today even those opposing the government consider this successful and admit that this was a great work."

"Due to the implementation of this plan, the high costs of treatment have been reduced. In addition to implementing this plan, we also implemented the Health Insurance Plan for all people," he said.

Rouhani added: "In the last 7 years, 36,000 new hospital beds have been added, 40% of hospital beds have been completely renovated, and the number of ICU beds has more than doubled."

The President stated: "The government will spend as much as it can on the care and improvement of the country's medical and nursing staff, and according to the report of the Plan and Budget Organisation, the payment of the medical sector has increased 2.5 times since March."

The President also praised the efforts of knowledge-based companies, saying: "The number of knowledge-based companies has increased to more than 5,200 companies over the past 7 years, and I recently instructed governors-general to pursue the establishment of innovation factories in their provinces."

Congratulating on Yalda night, Rouhani said: "The biggest help to the country's medical staff is for people to refrain from holding gatherings tonight and hold the ceremony online."

104/214

Read More:

Nurses devote themseves to COVID patients at Namazi Hospital in Shiraz

Nurses, 'angels of mercy' for the sick: Iran's leader