Intelligence Ministry Called for Curbs on Emigration of Medics

A leaked document reveals that the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence called last year for "stricter laws" to prevent members of “scientific and elite groups" from fleeing the country.

The confidential document, dated April 18, 2022, was made public by Uprising Until Overthrow, a hacker group affiliated with the exiled opposition People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK).

It was signed by Gholamhossein Esmaeli, the assistant minister of Intelligence, and addressed to the president's chief of staff and minister of science.

In the document, Esmaeli addressed the issue of “emigration of medical staff,” which he said was caused by the "escalating economic and livelihood challenges in the country.

However, he pointed out that healthcare was not the only sector to be affected by the growing brain drain.

In April, medical official Mansour Jafari said more than 800 midwives had left the country during the previous year.

According to another health official, Mohammad Sharifi Moghadam, "a minimum of 2,500 to 3,000 nurses leave the country annually."

The International Monetary Fund says more than 150,000 educated Iranians leave the country every year in the hope of finding a better life abroad.