The CEO of MAHAK, a prominent institution supporting children with cancer, has called for the acceleration of insurance coverage for new medications used in pediatric cancer treatment. Arasb Ahmadian stated that since its establishment, MAHAK has developed a comprehensive support program for children with cancer across Iran. The institution currently provides full, free coverage for all drug and treatment-related expenses for patients in 42 public and university hospitals nationwide, as well as its own specialized hospital.
According to a report by Jadeh Makhsoos news agency, Ahmadian highlighted that a significant portion of MAHAK’s expenses is related to pharmaceuticals. He noted that the global trend in cancer treatment is moving away from traditional methods like chemotherapy and radiotherapy towards more effective and developing approaches such as targeted therapy. This shift represents a move towards improved recovery paths for patients.
Ahmadian further explained that cancer drugs are predominantly imported and expensive, making them highly susceptible to currency exchange rate fluctuations. A critical issue is that many of these new, essential drugs are either not included in the national insurance formulary or are not supported by insurance organizations, placing a heavy burden on charities and families.
He emphasized, “It is expected that the Ministry of Health and the Supreme Council of Health Insurance will act more swiftly to include these drugs in the insurance list, as their staggering costs cannot be sustained solely through public donations.”
According to Jadeh Makhsoos, Ahmadian added that since 2022, MAHAK has implemented a strategy focused on treatment transformation and digital transformation. “In the realm of treatment, our first step was to align with international protocols and plan for the use of an integrated diagnosis and treatment program based on international standards,” he said.
He elaborated that this approach led to the launch of an integrated diagnosis and treatment program for brain tumors at MAHAK Hospital, based on the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) model. In this model, all specialists involved in a case collaborate to make joint decisions about the treatment process. This program became fully operational in 2024 and is now a standard part of the hospital’s daily operations. What are your thoughts on the role of insurance in accessing advanced medical treatments? Share your perspective in the comments.