In brief
In response to the ongoing anti-government protests in Iran, injured individuals are opting to avoid hospitals due to the presence of security forces, leading to a reliance on clandestine medical assistance. Reports indicate alarming levels of violence by authorities, resulting in thousands of injuries and fatalities among demonstrators. Healthcare workers face risks as they provide care in secret to those injured during the protests.
Amidst a wave of anti-government protests in Iran, many demonstrators are being injured by security forces, yet they are avoiding hospitalization out of fear of arrest. In the central city of Isfahan, a protester recounted her experience: People helped us and we got into a car... I said, 'Don't take us to a hospital.' This desperate decision stems from a belief that seeking professional medical assistance would lead to detention by authorities, who are reportedly monitoring hospitals and medical records closely. In a climate of fear, many protesters are reliant on healthcare workers who risk their safety by providing treatments at home.Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that at least 6,301 people have died among the demonstrators, alongside unwavering violence from security forces. While authorities claim many of the casualties were due to rioting, victims assert that nonviolent protesters have suffered brutal violence from armed forces.Surgeons and medical staff have worked tirelessly, performing operations on wounded individuals in makeshift settings, and they strive to provide care while evading security oversight. However, several healthcare workers themselves have been arrested for aiding protesters, highlighting a broader pattern of intimidation and suppression affecting not only demonstrators but also those who dare to treat them. Amid this chilling backdrop, the true toll of the protests remains obscured, further fueled by internet disruptions and restrictions on information flow.";
