The Iranian parliament has again passed controverial proposals to segregate health care in line with Islamic law, forcing medical staff to treat patients only of their own sex.

An earlier vote a few weeks ago was countermanded by the higher state body, the Guardian Council, after concerns were expressed over funding the segregation of hospitals.

The government and health experts had also criticised the parliamentary bill, and there was concern that lives would be put at risk where a doctor of the right sex is unavailable.

Details of the revised measures are still unclear.

They're to be considered again by the Guardian Council before becoming law.