The Health System in Post-Islamic Republic Iran:

A Vision and the Echo of a Maternal Concern in the Words of Princess Noor Pahlavi (the eldest daughter of HRH Reza Pahlavi) —and a Human Necessity. By Raghu Kondori 

Princess Noor Pahlavi’s recent speech at the unveiling conference of the NUFDI “The Iran Prosperity Project (IPP)” once again drew attention to one of the most fundamental civil rights: the right to health. Going beyond mere policy-making, she framed the healthcare system as a mirror reflecting a nation’s values—its respect for the dignity and welfare of its citizens. She emphasized the need to ensure fair and high-quality access to health services for all Iranians in the future free Iran. Her words not only paint a noble vision for Iran’s future healthcare system but also shed light on the deep structural challenges that plague the current system.

Princess Noor rightly described the current state of healthcare in Iran as a crisis, identifying the crushing costs of treatment as a key factor in family bankruptcies. This bitter reality—one that sadly resonates with many Iranians—signals inefficiency and injustice at the heart of the existing health structure. In such conditions, illness becomes not only a physical and emotional hardship but also a serious threat to the economic stability of families.

One of the most striking elements of her speech was the profound connection she drew between the concept of freedom and the right to health. By recalling the words of her father, she redefined freedom beyond an abstract political ideal and brought it into the everyday struggles and concerns of the people. The ability of a family to raise children without the fear of preventable illnesses, and to know that the sickness of a loved one won’t collapse their finances, is a fundamental measure of a free and socially just society.

Princess Noor’s human-centered perspective elevates healthcare from a mere bureaucratic issue to the level of an essential human right. This viewpoint provides a valuable foundation for designing and implementing the future healthcare system in Iran—one where access to high-quality, affordable, and humane services is guaranteed for all citizens, free from discrimination based on income or social background.

However, realizing this vision requires foundational and comprehensive changes in the country’s political and administrative structure. As Princess Noor Pahlavi also noted, this new paradigm of healthcare—where the state sees itself as the servant of the people, not the other way around—needs the fertile ground of freedom and democracy. Only in such an environment can effective policies be crafted, resources fairly allocated, and rigorous oversight established to build a healthcare system that meets real public needs and preserves human dignity.

Princess Noor’s speech not only analyzes the current situation and outlines a vision for the future of Iran’s health system, but it also invites thoughtful planning for a better tomorrow. A tomorrow in which health is guaranteed as a basic right for all Iranians, and illness is no longer a synonym for financial ruin. Achieving this aspiration demands national will and persistent effort on the path toward building a free, just Iran that offers equal opportunities for all its citizens.

Why Health?

Behind these profound concerns for the health of every Iranian, one can almost hear the echo of a maternal feeling. The anxiety for a child’s well-being, the heartfelt concern for the health of loved ones, are often inseparably linked to the nurturing instincts of mothers. Although Princess Noor Pahlavi has no children of her own yet, her heart already overflows with that maternal love—for the “children of Iran,” for the generations to come.

How beautiful is the image of a crown princess already dreaming of health and welfare for Iranian families—hoping for a day when, through the strengthening of families, the children of this land will grow up with love and freedom, and fly toward a flourishing society. Undoubtedly, in these heartfelt concerns, we can already see signs of a future “Mother of Iran”—a mother who knows that true well-being must pass through the unstable twists of economy and politics.

Princess Noor Pahlavi’s words are not only an analysis of today’s reality or a sketch of tomorrow’s possibilities; they are a sincere call to reflect and plan for a brighter future. A future where health is an unquestionable right for every Iranian, and where illness no longer casts the grim shadow of bankruptcy over people’s lives. Achieving this long-held dream requires national determination and firm steps toward building a free, just Iran—a homeland that offers equal opportunities for all her children.

A crown princess whose emotional and moral responsibility signals a legacy of nation-building. And perhaps one day, she will not only be the queen of a nation—but the compassionate and powerful mother of a reborn Iran.