Shiraz’s Medical Tourism Sector Expands with World-Class Healthcare and Affordable Treatments, Here’s What You Need to Know

Published on October 17, 2025

Southern Iran’s historic city of Shiraz is quickly becoming a major hub for medical tourism in West Asia. Advanced medical facilities, experienced and affordable healthcare professionals, and relatively lower rates for medical procedures have greatly appealed to clientele overseas, most recently and particularly, those from neighboring Arab states. Shiraz provides healthcare and medical services at a much lower price compared to Shiraz’s neighbors, the UAE and Qatar. For this reason, Shiraz is slowly becoming a greater medical tourism clientele receiver.

Given Shiraz’s strategic location, it easily caters to visitors from the Gulf countries and comes highly recommended for tourism focused medical care. As a city that provides great quality health care services with modern health care infrastructures and as a destination that provides great healthcare services and is known for medical education and research, Shiraz is undoubtedly becoming a great destination in the world for medical tourism.

Shiraz: A Medical Tourism Destination of Choice

In recent years, Iran has increasingly positioned itself as a leading destination for medical tourism in the region, offering high-quality healthcare services at a fraction of the cost of those in the West. Shiraz, with its internationally recognized hospitals, medical universities, and healthcare professionals, is playing a significant role in this growth. The presence of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, one of the country’s top institutions, helps ensure that the city remains at the forefront of medical advancements and practices.

Visitors from countries such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE regularly seek treatment in Shiraz for a wide range of medical services, including complex surgeries, fertility treatments, and cosmetic procedures. With its reputation for excellence, Shiraz has become a go-to destination for high-quality medical care at much lower prices than those found in the more developed healthcare systems of the Gulf states.

Top Medical Institutions in Shiraz

Shiraz boasts an extensive network of both public and private hospitals, catering to both local residents and international patients. These hospitals are equipped with cutting-edge medical technology, provide specialized treatments, and employ some of the best healthcare professionals in the region.

Namazi Hospital: A National Leader in Complex Surgeries

Namazi Hospital is one of the oldest and most respected hospitals in southern Iran. Founded in 1950, it is renowned for offering complex surgical procedures and specialized medical care. With more than 700 active beds, it ranks among the largest hospitals in the region, providing services in fields such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology.

Particularly notable is its organ transplant center, where kidney, liver, and heart transplants are performed with a high success rate. The hospital also offers specialized intensive care units and advanced diagnostic capabilities, making it a leading medical tourism destination for patients seeking advanced surgeries and post-operative care.

Dr. Khodadoust Eye Hospital: A Leader in Ophthalmology

Dr. Khodadoust Eye Hospital in Shiraz is one of the most prestigious eye care centers in Iran and the region. Named after Dr. Ali Asghar Khodadoust, a pioneer in the field of ophthalmology, the hospital specializes in corneal transplants, cataract surgeries, laser vision correction, and the treatment of retinal diseases and glaucoma.

Patients from around the world travel to Shiraz specifically to benefit from the hospital’s advanced technologies and expert ophthalmologists. The hospital continues to attract international medical tourists, particularly those seeking high-quality eye care at affordable prices.

Dr. Mir Hosseini Hospital: Specialized Care for Women’s Health

Founded in 1981, Dr. Mir Hosseini Hospital has grown into a leading center for women’s health in Shiraz. The hospital offers specialized services in obstetrics, gynecology, and infertility treatments, with a renowned fertility center that provides services like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Many patients from Iran and neighboring countries seek advanced fertility treatments and reproductive care at the hospital, making it an important part of the region’s medical tourism landscape.

The hospital’s comfortable maternity wards, modern surgical units, and state-of-the-art laboratories ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care, creating a reputation for quality and reliability in women’s healthcare.

Tourism Agencies in Shiraz: Tailored Services for Medical Travelers

As medical tourism continues to grow in Shiraz, a number of licensed tourism agencies have emerged to cater specifically to international patients. These agencies provide essential services to medical tourists, offering comprehensive travel packages that include treatment coordination, accommodation, transportation, and local tours. Their aim is to ensure that medical tourists have a seamless experience from arrival to recovery.

These agencies play a crucial role in facilitating communication between international patients and healthcare providers, offering translation services and helping to coordinate appointment schedules. In addition, many agencies offer airport transfers and assistance with obtaining medical visas. Their services are designed to make the entire process of medical travel smooth and stress-free, ensuring that patients can focus on their treatment and recovery.

Shiraz’s Medical Tourism Infrastructure and Growing Appeal

With its state-of-the-art medical facilities, highly skilled professionals, and affordable treatments, Shiraz is positioning itself as a medical tourism hub not only for the region but for global patients. The city’s reputation as a destination for high-quality care at low costs is steadily growing, attracting patients from both neighboring Middle Eastern countries and further abroad.

As more tourism agencies emerge to support this growing market, the infrastructure needed to accommodate international patients continues to develop. Shiraz’s accommodation options cater to medical tourists, with comfortable hotels and private facilities offering relaxation and recovery spaces for both patients and their families.

The Future of Medical Tourism in Shiraz

The future of medical tourism in Shiraz looks bright, with continued investments in medical infrastructure, patient services, and international partnerships. As the city continues to attract more global visitors, the tourism sector will likely see more collaboration between medical institutions and tourism agencies to offer customized services that meet the needs of medical travelers.

The government’s focus on improving healthcare accessibility, maintaining international standards, and expanding medical research and education in Shiraz will further enhance its standing as a top medical tourism destination in West Asia.

Shiraz’s Growing Role in Global Medical Tourism

Shiraz is becoming one of the best destinations for medical tourism because the medical care system is well developed and medical staff provide quality care at prices that are very reasonable. Featuring state-of-the-art hospital and clinics and well developed healthcare tourism infrastructure, Shiraz is becoming an amazing available option for patients looking for affordable high quality healthcare.

The rise of available high quality and affordable healthcare service will increase Shiraz’s medical tourism potential in the West Asia region. Tourists are becoming attracted to the city not just for healthcare services, but its historical and natural beauty also.