The budget for medical science research was reduced – RCO News Agency

According to Mehr reporter, medical science research plays an essential role in improving the health of societies; Because the scientific foundations for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases are based on these researches. By producing valid evidence, these researches provide the possibility of informed decision making in the health system, formulation of clinical guidelines and health policies.

Progress in the treatment of chronic diseases, finding new methods for the treatment of various types of cancer, prevention and treatment of new infectious diseases, development of vaccines, and also improving the quality of life of patients is not possible without systematic research in medical sciences. Therefore, investing in this field is a scientific necessity; It has a direct impact on the health and well-being of society.

In the country’s budget bill of 1405, two lines of credit related to medical science research are foreseen, which include “National Institute for the Development of Medical Sciences of the Country” (NIMAD) and “Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education – Technology Affairs and Medical Research”. In the next year’s proposed budget, 109,275,000 rials (new) have been allocated for Nimad Institute and 213,400,000 rials (new) for medical technology and research affairs of the Ministry of Health.

This is while Comparing these figures with the budget law of 1404 shows that the budget of Nimad Institute has been reduced by one percent and the budget of medical technology and research affairs of the Ministry of Health has been reduced by three percent. These budget changes may seem small at first glance, but in a situation where the country is facing chronic inflation, this reduction is actually much bigger. Also, the embargo conditions increase the cost of laboratory equipment, consumables, most of which are imported; and this issue puts additional pressure on medical science research.

In a conversation with Mehr reporter, Shahin Akhundzadeh criticized the budgeting policies and said: We expected the authorities to be aware of the importance of research and technology after the 12-day war and pay special attention to this sector. But unfortunately, the research budget for the year 1405 not only did not increase, but even decreased in some cases. Meanwhile, other countries, such as Russia, have increased their technology and research budgets during the war.

He had previously stated that the existing credits do not even cover the minimum required for the implementation of theses and research projects, which can question the validity of research data.

According to the statutes announced by the National Institute of Medical Sciences Research Development (NIMAD); This institute has the mission of scientific leadership, directing and supervising research and technologies in the field of health, and its goal is to lead it towards solving the problems and needs of the country, gaining scientific authority and breaking the boundaries of knowledge. On the other hand, this institute plays a key role in participation and monitoring of policy making, decision making and determining health research priorities. Also, the targeting of financial support, the investment of health system costs for the scientific response to the current and future challenges is one of the other duties of this institution.

Based on this; It can be said that reducing the budget of institutions with such missions in the conditions of sanctions and inflation can have significant consequences for the future of medical science research and the scientific power of the country’s health system.