Salamat Health Insurance Organization in Iran now covers over 130 rare diseases, helping more than three million patients. These conditions affect a small number of people, often fewer than one in 2,000. Many begin in childhood and can cause serious health problems. The organization, working with Iran’s Ministry of Health, created the Rare Disease Foundation to support patients. Initially, the foundation focused on nine conditions. Over time, it expanded support to include complex illnesses like butterfly skin, spinal muscular atrophy, metabolic disorders, autism, dystrophies, diabetes, cancer, and immune deficiencies.
The foundation aims to improve health equity and provide financial support to those affected. Before the foundation, patients with thalassemia, hemophilia, kidney failure, and those needing hemodialysis received assistance. Today, many more conditions are included under this special program. Funding for rare diseases has increased significantly. The budget grew from 50 trillion rials to 120 trillion rials in recent years. This helps cover medical costs and allows patients access to better care. The Health Insurance Organization also added new anti-cancer drugs. Now, the insurance covers between 70 and 95 percent of the cost of 90 anti-cancer medications for patients under the program.
The organization has also expanded the number of health centers under contract. More than 53,000 centers in Iran provide services covered by insurance. These include hospitals, doctors’ offices, pharmacies, rehabilitation centers, clinics, and laboratories. Contracts include government, private, non-government, and charity centers. Officials hope to add more centers as new contract forms are approved. Currently, 13,931 pharmacies, 20,804 doctors’ offices, 2,049 clinics, 2,446 laboratories, and 4,261 rehabilitation centers have signed agreements. Experts note that rare conditions often affect multiple organs and can lead to disabilities or premature death. Prevention, awareness, and early screening can help reduce their impact. Salamat Health Insurance continues expanding coverage in Iran, aiming to improve care and health outcomes for those living with these illnesses.