President Raisi made the remarks on Friday as he inaugurated ‘Ghadeer’ Major Hospital in the north of Tehran on the occasion of Eid al-Ghadeer, which marks the appointment of the first Shiite Imam, Ali ibn Abi Talib, by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as his successor.

The president highlighted Iran's status as a hub for health tourism in West Asia, saying that patients from regional countries and even Central Asian states choose to come to the country over Europe for treatment.

This is because of the lower costs and high expertise available in Iran, Raisi said, Press TV reported.

Known as a large, modern, and well-equipped center that meets international standards, Ghadeer Hospital has an area of 62,000 square meters, divided into five blocks and 13 floors. It can accommodate 821 patients in different departments, such as smart operating rooms, CCU, NICU, ICU, LDR delivery, and emergency.