Media Reaction to the Ban on 'Nail and Eyelash Extensions' for Healthcare Workers; Minister Should Address Healthcare and Medicine Issues

Iranian media have criticized the Health Minister's decision to ban 'nail and eyelash extensions' and called for the ministry to focus on specialized issues rather than matters imposed by security media. The newspaper 'Ham-Mihan' reported under the title 'Be a Minister for All, Not a Specific Group' that nearly a month after the parliament's ultimatum to the Ministry of Health to resolve the public's healthcare and medication issues, it remains unclear what actions the minister has taken or will take to address these issues. The report criticizes the Health Minister for straying from his primary responsibilities and focusing on peripheral issues such as the nails and eyelashes of female doctors and nurses, noting that the price of medicine has increased by 107% this year, with 150 types of medicine facing restrictions and 65 types experiencing serious shortages. The author emphasized that these are just part of the problems in the healthcare sector, as healthcare workers and specialists face numerous challenges, resulting in a significant increase in migration from this segment of society. In this context, the Health Minister announced a new ban for healthcare workers, particularly doctors. 'Ham-Mihan' also pointed out the origins of this 'strange directive' from the Health Minister, stating, 'I wish the minister's concerns were for all people, not just a specific group that, from a government-aligned media platform, requests issues regarding the personal matters of others.' This reference is to media pressure from the 'Fars' news agency, linked to security institutions, which announced yesterday that the ban on 'eyelash and nail extensions' was one of the demands of a 'public campaign' in their agency. Critics believe that the recent actions of the Ministry of Health regarding the ban on makeup and nail extensions are in line with implementing the 'Chastity and Hijab' bill, which in some cases has seen health officials move ahead of the bill itself. This bill is still in the back-and-forth process between the parliament and the Guardian Council and has not yet become 'law.' In this context, the Mehr news agency reported on September 20 that the Ministry of Health, in order to 'regulate and standardize' the behavior and dress of students and assistants in medical schools and universities, has revised the dress code after 10 years and communicated it to universities for the academic year 1403-1402. The Ministry of Health addressed issues such as observing Sharia limits in interactions with 'non-mahram', maintaining ethical standards, 'chewing gum', and 'laughing' in this directive. Media reports indicate an increase in requests for immigration papers from doctors; the Ministry of Health is seeking to accept 'foreign nationals' in subspecialties. The Health Minister acts as a school supervisor; 'eyelash and nail extensions' are banned for healthcare workers. The Deputy Health Minister of Rouhani's administration stated: 'We announced COVID-19 late because we did not have tests.'