Hospital Practices and Research

Evidence-Based Nutrition Policy: Economic Feasibility of Establishing Comprehensive Laboratory Infrastructure to Guide Public Health Initiatives

Articles in Press

Authors

Mehdi Mohammadi 1
Mohammad Amiri Ara 2
Sayyed Morteza Hosseini Shokouh 2
Mohammad Nejatian 3
Naeim Shokri 2

1 Student Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10.30491/hpr.2026.256799
Abstract
The escalating demand for accurate and standardized laboratory services in nutrition and food health necessitates the establishment of comprehensive facilities. This study assessed the economic feasibility of launching a comprehensive nutrition laboratory at Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences. Using key economic indicators (NPV, IRR, Payback Period) and the COMFAR III software, the project demonstrated profitability, with a Net Present Value (NPV) calculated at 962,182,466,323 Rials (2024 value). However, the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) was estimated at 7.82%, which, despite indicating basic viability, offers limited financial appeal given the high domestic inflation rate (exceeding 30%). These findings highlight the need for immediate policy interventions, such as securing public funding or adjusting service tariffs, to enhance the financial attractiveness and ensure the sustainable operation of this essential public health infrastructure.

Keywords

Economic Feasibility
Nutrition Laboratory
NPV
IRR
Policy Brief
Health Infrastructure
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Hospital Practices and Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 10 November 2026

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