Iran Unveils Comprehensive Plan for Electronic Health System

Approval of National Electronic Health Roadmap

The national electronic health roadmap was officially communicated to relevant organizations on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

The Cabinet approved the roadmap on September 10, 2024, following a proposal from the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education. This approval is in line with the seventh five-year development plan law. The document aims to establish an integrated, secure, and efficient electronic health system. It outlines key policies for developing electronic health in Iran and mandates executive organizations to implement its provisions.

Key Objectives and Strategies

The roadmap seeks to create an efficient electronic health system with objectives such as:

• Establishing integrated architecture for electronic health.
• Enhancing healthcare efficiency by improving service quality and reducing costs.
• Increasing citizen satisfaction in healthcare services.
• Ensuring data security and privacy protection in health information management.
• Promoting innovation by engaging private sector participation and fostering equitable growth opportunities for businesses in the health sector.
• Utilizing health data as a strategic resource for advancing healthcare policies.

Key strategies include minimizing government intervention in operations while focusing on regulation, prioritizing health data integration and interoperability, protecting privacy and data security, and leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.

Transforming Health Data Management

A cornerstone of this roadmap is the development of unified electronic health records for all citizens within two years. These records will contain comprehensive health information from birth to death, including medical histories, test results, imaging, medications, vaccinations, and hospitalization records. The records will be securely stored and seamlessly exchanged among authorized healthcare providers.

Another major initiative is the establishment of electronic referral systems to integrate healthcare service data across different levels. These systems will connect to the health data exchange center for electronic registration of patient information, referral processes, insurance verification, and diagnostic or treatment services.

Development of Health Data Exchange Center

The roadmap mandates the creation of a centralized national infrastructure for securely storing, processing, and exchanging citizens' health data. Managed by the Ministry of Health, the Health Data Exchange Center will provide stakeholders with unified access to comprehensive health information while adhering to international standards.

Ministry of Health's Regulatory Role

Under the roadmap, the Ministry of Health is designated as the regulator for electronic health. Its responsibilities include policymaking, implementation oversight, developing national standards for health data exchange, establishing privacy regulations, issuing permits for electronic health businesses, and monitoring stakeholder performance.

Businesses in the electronic health sector—such as telemedicine platforms, mobile apps, clinic management software, and medical AI systems—are recognized as part of Iran’s health ecosystem. They must obtain permits from the Ministry of Health and comply with regulatory standards. This framework aims to enhance transparency, reduce corruption, build public trust in e-health services, and promote sustainable sector growth.

Public Awareness and Collaboration

The roadmap emphasizes education and public awareness initiatives. Within one year of its communication, the Ministry of Health must implement training programs for medical professionals and students on electronic health concepts. Public education campaigns on digital health literacy are also required.

A “National Electronic Health Working Group” will be established to coordinate efforts among various ministries and private entities. The group will include representatives from multiple governmental organizations and private sector bodies such as Iran’s Computer Guild Organization and Medical Council. The Ministry of Health will serve as the working group’s secretariat.

Financial Support and Partnerships

To support e-health development sustainably, a Development and Equity Fund will be created to finance infrastructure projects. Transparent tariff structures for e-health services and clear public-private partnership guidelines are included in the roadmap to ensure collaboration between government entities and private businesses.