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As Iran grapples with widespread protests, healthcare professionals have unveiled harrowing accounts of systemic abuses within the country’s medical facilities. Reports indicate that hospitals, which should serve as sanctuaries for the injured, have instead been transformed into sites of repression where the treatment of wounded protesters is obstructed, and some patients are even subjected to lethal outcomes.
A Disturbing Reality in Hospitals
Eyewitness testimonials from doctors across various Iranian cities reveal a chilling environment in which medical care is dictated not by the urgency of injuries but by a patient’s perceived political affiliations. A consultant from Isfahan, who chose to remain anonymous due to fears of reprisal, described conditions in emergency wards as “indefensible by any professional or human standard.”
He recounted a chilling scenario from the peak of the protests between 8 and 13 January, during which medical personnel were coerced to prioritise treatment based on a patient’s “security label.” “Civilian casualties were left waiting for hours while security personnel received immediate attention,” the doctor reported, illustrating a grim reality where political allegiance could mean the difference between life and death.
The Consequences of Medical Neglect
In numerous instances, the atmosphere of intimidation has led to fatal outcomes. One doctor revealed that orders were issued to disconnect life support systems from patients still showing vital signs. “Some were taken from the Intensive Care Unit to the morgue while they were still alive,” he lamented, adding that nurses who resisted such commands faced threats of arrest.
In Kermanshah, another physician described a paralysing atmosphere in hospitals, where communication systems were down due to state-imposed internet blackouts. “Many arrived with gunshot wounds, but we were unable to contact on-call surgeons, leading to delays that cost lives,” he said, highlighting the dire consequences of bureaucratic and authoritarian interference in medical care.
Concealment and Deception in Medical Records
Reports from Tehran and Karaj expose a disturbing practice of falsifying medical records to shield injured protesters from potential arrest. A consultant involved in treating victims explained that gunshot injuries were often disguised as “car accidents” or “tumours” in hospital documentation. This manipulation aimed to protect patients from the scrutiny of security forces, reflecting a desperate attempt to navigate a treacherous landscape where medical care is laced with fear.
The situation has compelled many injured individuals to forgo necessary treatment. A medical staff member in Babol recounted instances where patients, fearing arrest, insisted on leaving the hospital despite their critical conditions. The fear was palpable, as families of the injured were labelled as “political cases,” leading to denial of care and, tragically, preventable deaths en route to hospitals.
The Threat to Medical Professionals
The oppressive environment extends beyond patients to encompass healthcare workers themselves. Reports have surfaced of security forces conducting raids on hospitals and even targeting doctors’ homes. Medical records have reportedly been confiscated, and several healthcare workers have faced arrest, leaving colleagues in a state of anxiety regarding their safety and professional integrity.
In response to these alarming developments, the Iranian Medical Council recently issued a statement expressing deep concern over the safety of healthcare professionals amidst the ongoing civil unrest. They called on authorities to ensure the protection of medical facilities and staff from external interventions that threaten their ability to perform their duties.
Why it Matters
The revelations emerging from Iran’s healthcare system highlight a profound violation of human rights, where the sanctity of medical care is trampled underfoot by state repression. This transformation of hospitals into instruments of oppression not only endangers the lives of injured protesters but also erodes the trust essential for a functioning healthcare system. As the world watches, the plight of Iranian doctors and patients underscores the urgent need for accountability and the protection of fundamental rights in the face of authoritarianism.
