Title: President Pezeshkian Outlines Vision for Holistic Governance and Local Empowerment
In a significant address to the 113th General Assembly of the Academy of Medical Sciences, President Masoud Pezeshkian articulated a comprehensive vision for national development, emphasizing a shift in management approach, local empowerment, and efficient resource utilization.
A Holistic View of Public Health
President Pezeshkian opened his remarks by redefining the concept of public health, stating it extends far beyond medical treatment. He positioned his own role through this lens, asserting that his primary motivation is solving the people’s problems. “The health of the people is not just medical treatment,” he said. “It means solving unemployment, helping the unsupported, and aiding those in remote areas.”
Empowering Local Expertise for Local Solutions
A central theme of the address was the decentralization of authority and the empowerment of local professionals, particularly physicians. The President expressed strong belief in the capabilities of the medical community, suggesting that with the right mandate, they could address a wide array of local issues, including unemployment and malnutrition.
“With their high intelligence, they can even solve problems like unemployment, malnutrition, and livelihood issues for the deprived strata of society,” Pezeshkian stated. He cited his own experience in Tabriz, where he claimed to have solved numerous public issues despite resource constraints, by prioritizing the people’s concerns.
Efficiency Over Scarcity: A New Economic Paradigm
Challenging the notion of resource scarcity, the President argued that the core issue is inefficient consumption, not a lack of funds. He called for disciplined management of expenditures, aligning them with global standards to free up resources for national development projects.
“The problem is not a lack of budget and resources,” he clarified, “but excessive consumption beyond global standards that has caused us to face shortages.” He stressed that with willpower and by entrusting capable and concerned specialists, solutions can be found.
Call for Educational and Managerial Reform
President Pezeshkian highlighted the need for a fundamental review of the educational system to instill a sense of social responsibility in future specialists. He pointed out that while the current system teaches science, it often neglects to teach behavioral and communication skills focused on public service.
He also emphasized a necessary shift in management perspectives, noting that the challenge lies not in theories but in their execution. “Our main problem is changing behavior,” he said. “We have no problem with theories; the problem is in execution and the motivations of the executors.”
Ensuring Equity and Harnessing Academic Potential
The President underscored the government’s commitment to justice and fairness, criticizing the unfair distribution of resources as a source of public discontent. He called for appointments based on merit and justice to encourage a greater sense of national responsibility among all citizens.
Furthermore, he urged universities to step into the field of problem-solving, vowing to tie government funding to performance and tangible output. “If professors and specialists take responsibility, there is no problem that cannot be solved,” he asserted.
Conclusion: Unity and Collective Decision-Making
Concluding his address, President Pezeshkian reaffirmed his government’s slogan of “accord,” calling for a unified language and perspective among managers and executives to solve the nation’s problems. He championed collective decision-making that considers all dimensions of an issue, ensuring sustainable development that safeguards resources for future generations. Despite acknowledging the density of challenges faced by his administration, he expressed unwavering confidence that with the cooperation of specialists and academics, the nation can overcome any obstacle.
