Tehran:Iran has opened its first university-affiliated center dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer at Hakim Children's Hospital in Tehran. The inauguration was attended by Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref and Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the center was launched on World Children's Day with a ceremony that included the presence of Mohammad Eslami, the vice president and head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, as well as several officials from the Health Ministry.

During the event, Aref and Zafarghandi toured the hospital's inpatient wards, meeting with children undergoing treatment and their families. Reza Raeis-Karami, Chancellor of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, emphasized that the new center could significantly reduce medical expenses for families. He highlighted the significance of the day due to the inauguration of the children's cancer center and the commencement of construction for the Amir Alam 2 Hospital, which will have 320 beds.

Raeis-Karami described the comprehensive cancer treatment center as a pivotal development for the nation, pointing out that previously such services were only available through the private sector. With this opening, the first public and university-based center for childhood cancer treatment has commenced operations.