Iran Medics Describe Overwhelmed Hospitals as Protests Continue

As protests continue across Iran, medical workers are describing hospitals pushed beyond capacity, struggling to treat a growing number of injured patients amid ongoing unrest. Doctors, nurses, and emergency responders say the influx of wounded protesters and bystanders has placed unprecedented strain on already fragile healthcare systems.

Behind closed hospital doors, medics are facing a dual crisis: caring for the injured while navigating political pressure, fear, and severe resource shortages.

Rising Numbers of Injured

Medical staff in several major cities report a steady rise in patients suffering from injuries related to clashes between protesters and security forces. These include blunt force trauma, tear gas exposure, fractures, and, in some cases, gunshot wounds.

Hospitals in Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, and Shiraz have reportedly activated emergency protocols to manage patient overflow. Waiting areas have been converted into treatment spaces, and non-urgent procedures postponed to free up beds.

One emergency physician described the situation as “relentless,” saying injured patients continue to arrive in waves, particularly after nighttime demonstrations.

Working Under Extreme Pressure

Medics say long shifts and limited supplies are taking a toll. Basic items such as bandages, pain medication, and oxygen are being rationed, while staff exhaustion is mounting.

Many healthcare workers are also working under emotional strain. Treating injured young people—some barely out of their teens—has been particularly distressing.

“We are trained for emergencies, but this feels endless,” said one nurse, speaking anonymously. “There is no time to recover before the next patient arrives.”

Fear Inside Hospital Walls

Healthcare professionals also report fear inside hospitals. In some cases, security forces have allegedly entered medical facilities seeking injured protesters, creating an atmosphere of intimidation.

Doctors say this has discouraged some injured people from seeking care, leading families to attempt home treatment or delay hospital visits until injuries worsen.

Medical ethics require treating all patients without discrimination, but medics say political pressure has complicated their work and raised concerns about patient safety.

Protests Driven by Deep Frustration

The protests fueling this crisis are rooted in longstanding grievances, including economic hardship, political repression, and restrictions on personal freedoms. Rising prices, unemployment, and corruption allegations have further inflamed public anger.

Despite government claims that unrest is externally influenced, healthcare workers say the injuries they treat reflect genuine domestic turmoil.

For medics, the political arguments matter less than the human cost arriving at their doors.

Impact on Non-Protest Patients

The surge in protest-related injuries has also affected patients unrelated to demonstrations. Those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and people requiring urgent surgery face longer waits as hospitals prioritize emergency cases.

Families report difficulty accessing care, particularly in public hospitals that serve lower-income communities. Private clinics, meanwhile, remain inaccessible for many due to cost.

The healthcare system’s struggle highlights how civil unrest can ripple far beyond the streets.

Mental Health Strain

Beyond physical injuries, medics note a growing mental health crisis. Patients present with anxiety, panic attacks, and trauma-related symptoms, while healthcare workers themselves are experiencing burnout and psychological distress.

Psychologists say repeated exposure to violence—both direct and indirect—can have lasting consequences for individuals and communities.

Calls for mental health support are increasing, but resources remain limited.

Silence and Restricted Communication

Internet disruptions have made it difficult for hospitals to coordinate care and communicate with families. Some medical staff say they rely on personal networks and offline systems to manage patient flow.

The lack of connectivity also limits the ability of medics to speak publicly about conditions inside hospitals, increasing isolation and frustration.

Despite these challenges, healthcare workers continue to report for duty.

International Concern and Ethical Questions

Human rights organizations have expressed concern about reports of injured protesters being detained or questioned in hospitals. Medical associations emphasize that healthcare facilities must remain neutral zones during unrest.

International medical groups have called for protections for healthcare workers and unrestricted access to care for all injured individuals.

Iranian authorities have denied allegations of interference, insisting that hospitals operate normally.

Resilience Amid Crisis

Despite the pressure, medics describe acts of solidarity within hospitals. Staff members share shifts, improvise solutions, and provide emotional support to one another.

Some doctors say their commitment to patient care has strengthened their resolve. “Our job is to save lives,” one physician said. “That doesn’t change because of politics.”

These moments of resilience offer a glimpse of humanity amid turmoil.

A Healthcare System at a Crossroads

The ongoing protests have exposed vulnerabilities in Iran’s healthcare infrastructure, from supply shortages to staffing limitations. Medics warn that without de-escalation, the system risks deeper collapse.

They also stress that healthcare workers cannot bear the burden alone. Addressing the root causes of unrest, they say, is essential to easing pressure on hospitals.

Conclusion: The Hidden Cost of Protest

As protests continue across Iran, overwhelmed hospitals reveal the often unseen consequences of civil unrest. Behind every statistic is a patient, a family, and a medic stretched to the limit.

While political debates dominate headlines, the situation inside hospitals tells a quieter but equally urgent story—one of dedication, fear, and endurance.

For Iran’s medical workers, the crisis is not ideological. It is immediate, human, and unfolding one patient at a time.