After a week of speculation and rumors, President Hassan Rouhani has accepted the resignation of Minister of Health and Medical Education Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi, who quit over budget issues and accusations of corruption at the ministry.
A video of his last address at the ministry was published online. “With my staying, nothing will change other than the damages will increase. The issue is no longer normal but has become personal. Hopefully, this change will cause someone to come [in my place] and … do what was promised [by the administration],” said Ghazizadeh Hashemi. He added, “I’m a hard worker and I have a high tolerance … these aren’t new issues, and I have not made these issues public until now. I’ve written numerous letters to the president; many things have happened and I have not told anybody.”