Healthcare professionals in Iran are risking their lives to treat the wounded and maintain medical ethics, the global health community must back them
Medical impartiality is a well established principle but the impartial practice of medicine has brought clinicians into conflict with the authorities in Iran. The current crisis in Iranian healthcare and protests began in September 2022, following the killing of Mahsa “Jina” Amini by the “morality police” for improper hijab.1 The authorities tried to cover up the truth of her death, but 800 members of the Iranian Medical Council spoke up.1 Ten months after Iranians started protesting for their basic human rights, the morality police have resumed their patrols.2
There have been reports of security forces deliberately injuring protestors.1 When the wounded show up to hospitals to seek medical attention, they are often identified and detained by security agents.1 Authorities have also interrupted treatment of the wounded to transfer them to detention centres, against medical advice.4 Ambulances are …