A conversation with Dr. Ahmad Shojaei Baghini Founder and CEO of the Basir eye clinic
Ophthalmology is one of the most important advantages of medical tourism in Iran compared to other active countries in this field. So much so that since the olden days have people, especially from the countries surrounding the Persian Gulf, travelled to Iran to receive treatments for these Issues. Dr. Shojaei, founder and CEO of the Basir Eye Clinic states that he has had many patients from countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain for many years and this is a testament to the high level of treatments in the field of eye issues.
In this conversation Dr. Shojaei, surgeon and eye diseases expert, and member of the examination board of Iran’s ophthalmology association, founder and CEO of the Basir clinic points out the activities of the clinic as well as the potentials of treatment for eye diseases in Iran.
Doctor, where did the founding story of the Basir Eye Clinic begin?
The Basir ophthalmology clinic was founded in 1994, around the time we decided to make the Excimer laser system operational in Iran. The Excimer system is used to deal with refractive issues of the eye and according to our studies, there was an influx of demand for it at the time in the country, due to the system being new. Therefore the building used for the clinic, previously serving as an office, was considered for this purpose and the first Excimer device in the country was set up and operated, with the country’s first operation of the field taking place in this very building.
Two years after the foundation of the clinic, we decided to expand operations to include all ophthalmologic treatments. And so we received an operation permit from the ministry of health. Eventually the clinic turned into a specialist center with all medical procedures concerning the eye taking place in it. In those same early years the building was completely renovated with all the latest equipment and devices imported from abroad.
All of these are results of acting in good faith, as all our efforts are to send the patient out of the clinic satisfied. We do not perform any unscientific or unconventional actions in this center.
This center was the first eye clinic of the country and our effort has always been towards being the best regarding both specialty as well as equipment and to that end, we have attracted the very best of experts in different fields. Considering the nature of our activities and services that we provide, the clinic’s work is added to everyday and accordingly we have expanded the center with new sections added each year.
Doctor, tell us about some of the daily and annual statistics about the clinic. How has the general targeting of the clinic worked out since its foundation?
The stats vary. Here we receive patients in two different ways, first the patients that visit the clinics and tended to by the doctors. If during the examinations the need for surgery is felt, then they will undergo the surgery. Approximately in each shift, there are 4 specialist doctors receiving patients.
One of the interesting and appealing points about the Basir Eye Clinic is its situation in the center of the city, which has prompted to clinic into a medical brand which not only attracts patients form the city and the country but also from abroad, indeed the clinic has turned into a reputable and successful brand in its field of expertise. How did this branding come to be?
The fame and the confidence were earned slowly and through time. My belief is that we should present an ideal and desirable work so that the patient is as satisfied as possible regarding the clinic. In fact I can say that the secret to our success is this very point. We will not allow a physician with low work quality to perform a surgery. In this center, only doctors capable of the highest surgical quality and the best customer feedback are allowed to operate. In general these principals and protocols are to be heeded by all our coworkers in this medical center.
The fame and the confidence were earned slowly and through time. My belief is that we should present an ideal and desirable work so that the patient is as satisfied as possible regarding the clinic
Another point is that every surgeon must fully perform all tasks related to them. For example if a patient visits the clinic for me, then from the reception to the surgery, I will personally carry out all the procedures with great precision. Following the good results of this method, we’ve had an increasing amount of patients coming to this clinic as well.
Our doctors are currently in the phase of serving third generation members of some families. For example a lady visited the clinic and stated that her mother and grandmother were both treated in this center, and so I want to be treated in this center and by the same doctor. This showcases trust and the reputation of the Basir clinic. All of these are results of acting in good faith, as all our efforts are to send the patient out of the clinic satisfied. We do not perform any unscientific or unconventional actions in this center.
Doctor, one of the most important qualities of the Basir clinic is its attraction of foreign patients throughout its existence. What position does medical tourism occupy in the clinic and what are some actions taken towards it?
Since the very beginning contacts were established with countries surrounding the Persian Gulf. The results of these communication channels were individuals coming to the center to review it and that in turn resulted in the dispatch of foreign patients to the center. The manager of the time as well as the medical team dedicated to this section were quite professional and all fluent in Arabic. This connection resulted in foreign patients slowly finding their way into this clinic. Initially patients were from Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Qatar. So much so that after a time, the majority of Kuwaiti eye patients were visiting the Basir clinic for treatment. Following this, patients from Iraq and its Kurdistan region began referring to the clinic and trust was established between the citizens of the country regarding the Basir clinic. This center is the first eye clinic to attract foreign patients and for years foreign patients knew only the name of Basir among Iranian clinics.