TEHRAN — Parsian medical imaging center in Tehran offers free of charge and round the clock services to patients, said the chief of rare diseases foundation of Iran, Ali Davoudian.

The 24-7 scheme is designed to offer free services to the patients suffering from rare diseases, including cancers, and patients who can barely afford to pay for their medical expenses, the Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday.

A rare disease, also referred to as an orphan disease, is any disease that affects a small percentage of the population. Most rare diseases are genetic, and thus are present throughout the person's entire life, even if symptoms do not immediately appear.

At the Parsian center, which is affiliated to the rare diseases foundation of Iran, patients can get MRI and Ultrasound at any time at no cost, he highlighted.

Additionally, the foundation issues membership cards for patients suffering from rare diseases which enables them to receive services from the center for free, he added.

As well as MRI and ultrasound, the center will provide the patients who have the membership card with CAT scan, mammogram, bone mineral densitometry test, electro diagnosis, and etc. every day, at any time and at no charge, Davoudian explained.

Obese patients used to face shortage of large-capacity scanners, however, Parsian center has solved the problem and now patients weighing 100 to 150 kilograms can get MRI at this center, he said.

Davoudian, a philanthropist, also pointed out that the foundation functions at his expense and that he had never asked for money from anybody.

Money problems aside, many patients experience difficulties in finding hospitals or centers to get medical services such as MRI particularly in the small hours. Shortage of human resources, medical facilities and budget deficit becomes more noticeable at night shifts. One or two centers which provide 24-7 services will not do and the officials should take serious measures to address the present problem as soon as possible.

MQ