Saeed Hashemzadeh added that the figure is estimated to increase this year, Donya-e-Eqtesad reported.
“Close to 72,000 of these tourists were hospitalized and the rest were outpatients. Around 70% of health tourists visiting Iran seek services in five medical fields, namely gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, cardiology and cosmetic surgery,” he said.
Hashemzadeh noted that Iran has the capacity to receive 2-2.5 million health tourists per year, particularly for outpatient services, Financial Tribune reported.
“Each foreign patient spends around $3,000 in Iran and this is apart from other services received by these patients and their companions,” he said.