Tara, her friend and others were assaulted by the security force in Isfahan during recent demonstrations. We were helped by people and got in a car. Tara, Tara’s mother, said: “I said, Don’t take us into a hospital.” They feared arrest and did not seek immediate medical attention.
The security forces came on motorbikes and started shooting. Tara remembered, “My friend said to an armed officer, ‘Please don’t fire at us.’ He fired multiple times.” “We fell down, bloodied.”
The couple sought refuge at the home of a neighboring family before finding a doctor to treat their injuries. Later, a surgeon removed the fragments of birdshot after warning them that they would be permanent.
The Secret Treatment of Widespread Injury
Due to restrictions on internet and bans against reporting, it is hard to verify the full number of deaths in Iran. Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the US, reports 6301 deaths confirmed, which include 5,925 protesters and 112 children. 50 witnesses, 214 affiliates of government, as well as 214 other people. 17091 other deaths are still under investigation.
Most people avoid going to hospitals and rely on healthcare professionals who are willing to treat them in secret at home.
Health Care Workers are at Risk
Dr Nima is a doctor in Tehran who described how he treated the injured under extreme pressure. We worked without sleeping for almost 96 straight hours.Nima recalled treating a patient with a gunshot wound to his upper and lower jaw. Other gunshot wounds resulted in amputations and permanent disability.
Security forces constantly monitor hospitals to check for injured protestors. To protect their patients, some doctors do not record gunshot injuries in patient records.
Treatment for Eye Injury and Specialized Care
Saeed told the story of a friend who had suffered serious eye injuries while in Arak. Doctors often waived fees for the sake of safety.
Inhumane conditions in hospitals
Sina’s brother, who was wounded in the leg by a bullet during protests described hospitals as chaotic. It was chaotic. No blankets were available, nor was there enough medicine. “We had to supply our own,” said he.
Independent Sources and Official Reports Independent Sources
The Iranian authorities claim that over 3100 people died during unrest. They say the majority were either security personnel or innocent bystanders. Farabi Eye Hospital handled 700 cases of emergency eye injuries and sent nearly 200 others to other facilities.
