Laboratories of Iran can close down because of sanctions

Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 22 /Trend S.Isayev, T. Jafarov/ The laboratories in Iran have nearly gone bankrupt because of International sanctions, Iran's Science Education Agency reported. Former head of Iran's Laboratories' Management, current assistant to head doctor in Bahonar hospital in Tehran, Hossein Gholami said that while 85-95 percent of labs in Iran are fully standardized, they are not being supported by the government. "The sanctions imposed on the country make it difficult not only to import necessary equipment, but materials as well," Gholami said. He added that the labs are forced to work by tariffs set by the government, and if the inflation and prices continue to rise, these factors would affect the labs' sustainability. Gholami said that due to high prices and current economic problems in the country, the number of people visiting labs has greatly reduced, since visitors are not able to pay the necessary costs. "From early July to late September the price for lab equipment increased from 70 to 250 percent, while in October the price jumped up to 300 percent," Gholami noted. According to Gholami, numerous requests to country's Department of Health have not lead to any results. He added that if such situation continues, a lot of laboratories in Iran will simply close down. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az