Iran: Despite ceasefire, access to essential medical care remains fragile
MSF expands medical care as civilians face growing barriers to treatment
More than seven weeks after the war in Iran began, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams are expanding activities in Tehran and continuing to respond to growing medical needs in other areas where we work. While a ceasefire currently in place has brought some relief, the situation remains fragile for many people who rely on essential healthcare services.
Prior to the start of the war, MSF ran activities in South Tehran, Mashhad and Kerman province, focusing on primary healthcare for people facing barriers in accessing health services, particularly Afghan refugees.
“People still need treatment for common illnesses and for chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. And, especially after the trauma of war, many will need mental healthcare support.”
Grigor Simonyan, MSF’s country director in Iran
At the height of the violence, during a period of intense bombing, MSF temporarily suspended activities in our clinic in South Tehran. This clinic has since reopened and MSF has received authorization to operate the clinic as an advanced medical post, able to receive wounded patients and stabilizing those in critical condition, as needed. Services have also expanded to all Iranians and the number of consultations has doubled since the ceasefire. Around 250 patients are now treated at the clinic each day.
“Primary healthcare is often among the first services to be disrupted during emergencies, yet it remains one of the most essential,” says Grigor Simonyan, MSF’s country director in Iran. “People still need treatment for common illnesses and for chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. And, especially after the trauma of war, many will need mental healthcare support.”
To further expand access to primary healthcare, MSF plans to open a second clinic in South Tehran.
MSF’s clinics in Kerman city, in southeastern Iran, are seeing around 150 patients per day and providing essential primary healthcare. An estimated 200,000 Afghan refugees live in the outskirts of the city and MSF is the one of the only medical organizations providing healthcare to them.
In Mashhad, northeastern Iran, near the border with Afghanistan, MSF continues to provide healthcare services, including mental health support, to more than 160 patients per day in the clinic in the Golshahr district, where most of the city’s Afghan refugees live.
In all locations, MSF delivers a range of medical activities including sexual and reproductive healthcare, screening and treatment for infectious diseases such as hepatitis C, mental health support, management of chronic illnesses and referrals to specialized health facilities.
A health system under extreme pressure
Despite parts of the health system continuing to function, the war has placed Iran’s healthcare services under extreme pressure, with hospitals, clinics and ambulances hit and damaged.
As of April 15, the World Health Organization had verified 24 attacks on healthcare in Iran, further straining the health system and humanitarian response.
“Iran also relies heavily on locally manufactured medicines and pharmaceutical production has been severely disrupted as a direct result of this war,” says Simonyan. “We are seeing more and more people affected by a lack of access to essential medicines.”
In response, MSF has donated medicines and supplies — including pediatric and trauma care kits — which are distributed and used by the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Additionally, MSF has donated essential items, such as blankets, pillows and hygiene kits, through the same organization to support people affected by the war.
As the crisis approaches its third month, MSF remains ready to adapt and further scale up our activities in response to people’s evolving medical needs, in collaboration with authorities.
“Civilians continue to bear the highest cost of this war,” says Simonyan. “Full respect and protection of medical facilities and health workers is critical to ensure people can access care whenever and wherever they need it.”
