WHO chief decries attacks on hospitals, medical workers in Iran

GENEVA: The World Health Organization chief said Thursday that the UN agency had confirmed recent attacks on a hospital in Iran, while multiple health facilities were damaged in the unrest, leaving dozens of paramedics injured.

“I am deeply concerned by multiple reports of health personnel and medical facilities in Iran being impacted by the recent insecurity, and prevented from delivering their essential services to people requiring care,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X.

He pointed to reports in recent days of “health workers assaulted, and at least five doctors detained, while treating injured patients”.

“I call for the release of any health worker in detention. Healthcare personnel should never face intimidation,” he insisted.

Protests broke out in Iran in late December over economic grievances, but turned into a mass movement against the Islamic republic, with huge street demonstrations for several days earlier this month.

READ MORE: Iran says no leniency for ‘rioters’ as protests persist

Rights groups have accused authorities of killing thousands in an unprecedented crackdown under the cover of an ongoing internet shutdown, while Iranian authorities say the violence was caused by “rioters” spurred by the United States and Israel.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has said it has confirmed that 6,373 people have been killed and more than 40,000 arrested.

But NGOs tracking the toll from the crackdown have said their task has been impeded by the internet shutdown, warning that the actual toll is likely to be far higher than confirmed figures.

Little information has also so far emerged about the situation at health facilities.

But Tedros said Thursday that WHO had confirmed “that the Khomeini Hospital, in the western city of Ilam, came under attack earlier in January”.

“Violence was reported inside and around the facility following the transfer of injured people to the hospital,” he said, adding that “medical services and supplies were disrupted and affected”.

The UN health agency had “also confirmed that multiple health facilities were damaged across Iran in recent weeks, including 10 pre-hospital emergency posts, where more than 50 paramedics were injured and over 200 ambulances damaged”, Tedros said.

“Tear gas was also reportedly used at Sina Hospital in Tehran,” he said, highlighting that “the recent crisis, according to reports, has strained the health system”.

The WHO chief said it was “imperative that health facilities are protected and be able to deliver their critical health services in an unimpeded manner”.

“This is fundamental to the provision of health care required by all people who need services, especially during times of crisis,” he said.

“Healthcare should never be a target.”