ZANJAN — At the opening session of a two-day expert workshop on developing service packages for the“Poorsan Program”, Dr. Mohammadreza Saeini, Vice-Chancellor for Health at Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS), emphasized that the successful and properly structured implementation of the Family Physician Program represents a significant opportunity for strengthening the national health system.Speaking at the event held at the Rouzbeh International Conference Center on June 8, Dr. Saeini underscored that the effectiveness of the program relies on precise planning and realistic execution. He noted that every Iranian citizen should have access to a designated trusted Level‑1 physician, who serves as the first point of contact and is responsible for continuous follow-up on the individual’s health status.

Addressing System Capacity and Operational Realities

Dr. Saeini acknowledged existing constraints within the healthcare service delivery system, noting that certain areas have reached or are approaching capacity saturation. He stressed that a lack of visible reaction to some programs does not necessarily indicate full implementation. Instead, it may reflect workforce overload, where high task volume makes comprehensive execution challenging.He emphasized that the success of national health programs requires careful assessment of operational capacity and human resources. Issuing guidelines or approving plans alone, he stated, cannot guarantee effective implementation at the service delivery level unless the executing workforce has the capacity to carry them out.

A Call for Pragmatic, Collaborative Action

The Vice-Chancellor expressed hope that, with the participation of representatives from various offices of the Ministry of Health and the continued support of the Primary Health Care (PHC) Network Management Center, the foundations will be strengthened for a realistic, feasible, and effective implementation of programs within the national primary health care system.