Tehran, Nov 18, IRNA - Irans nursing system ranks first in the region in the educational, scientific and research fields, said the deputy health minister for nursing affairs.Mohammad Mirzabeigi made the above statement in an exclusive interview with 'Iran Daily' published Tuesday, adding that the country's high status in the field of nursing education has been confirmed by the International Council of Nurses.
He said Annette Muransa Nkowane, technical officer of World Health Organization, and Fariba al-Derazi, the representative of WHOs Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office known as EMRO, visited Iran last week.
The first nursing research center of Iran, which is the third in the Middle East, was inaugurated during their visit, he said.
Mirzabeigi noted that Nkowane called for the establishment of WHOs research centers in Iran.
He said the level of nursing education in Iran is desirable, because universities offering nursing degrees are outstanding in terms of instructive technologies and treatment methods.
The graduates of universities are capable of working in the most modern hospitals and treatment centers of European countries and the US, he said.
Lack of nurses has put pressure on those involved in such activities and reduced the quality of health care services.
Mirzabeigi also said the difference between the quality of nursing education and clinical services provided by nurses is the main problem facing the ministry.
The deputy minister announced that 33 plans have been devised by the Health Ministrys Nursing Department to solve the problem, adding that efforts are underway to improve the quality of clinical nursing services and make educational courses of nurses more applicable.
The department is expected to devise a document to forecast on supply and demand for nurses, he said, stressing that preliminary steps have been taken in this respect.
Referring to the implementation of Health Overhaul Plan, Mirzabeigi said the working hours of nurses have not been extended.
A significant decline in the cost of treatment paid by patients has led to an increase in the number of people referring to state-run treatment centers, he said.
By IRNA
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