Tehran, December 20, The Iran Project - Minister of Health says Iran will establish at least 200 cancer treatment centers by the next year.

Speaking on the sidelines of a hospital-based cancer center�s inauguration ceremony in Tehran on Sunday, Seyed Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi Iran�s Ministry of Health noted the economic costs of�the special diseases' treatment, saying that a large amount of such expenses has been covered by the government since the beginning of Health System Reform Plan's implementation in Iran.

Referring to the �good condition� of the country in terms of equipment and chemotherapy centers, he highlighted the attempts to promote the present conditions through foundation of over�200�centers across the country by next year.

Hashemi further hoped that Iran could achieve the goals particularly regarding the government�s strong motivation and benefactors'�contributions.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he noted the financial resources of the centers� establishment, adding that the project is expected to receive finance by Health System Reform Plan and benefactors.

�The centers are expected to provide various health care services including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery,� he reiterated in concluding part of his remarks.