A staggering 130% increase in suicides among female doctors
In recent years, Iran has witnessed a distressing surge in the rates of suicides among medical professionals, particularly female doctors. The gravity of this issue poses a significant threat to the stability of Iran’s healthcare system.
According to a report by Donya-e Eqtesad, there has been a staggering 130% increase in suicides among female doctors and 40% in male doctors’ suicides.
Donya-e Eqtesad also mentioned that the suicide of doctors had increased fivefold in the last few years.
Before this in January, the state-run Etemad daily wrote in a report that in 10 months, 16 medical assistants committed suicide.
Let’s explore the contributing factors:
Working Conditions and Stress
Iranian doctors, especially resident physicians, grapple with grueling working conditions. Extended shifts, often exceeding 30 hours, take a toll on their physical and mental well-being.
Resident doctors face inadequate compensation, receiving meager monthly salaries ranging from 80 million to 110 million rials (approximately $125 to $172).
The demanding residency period (three to five years) exacerbates stress, exhaustion, and burnout.
Financial Strain
Delayed payments and restrictions on practicing medicine outside the hospital during residency contribute to financial strain.
Many doctors take on secondary jobs to make ends meet, further adding to their stress.
Lack of Mental Health Support
Despite a high prevalence of depression among resident doctors (25% in Tehran), mental health services remain inadequate.
Advocates emphasize the need for better support, including insurance coverage, reduced excessive shifts, and accessible mental health resources.
Social Status and Respect
Historically, doctors in Iran held esteemed social positions. However, recent changes have eroded their status.
Instances of disrespect from supervisors, mistreatment, and humiliation contribute to feelings of hopelessness.
Suicides among female doctors in Iran
Resident doctors have turned to social media to raise awareness about their plight. They share stories of colleagues who have tragically taken their own lives.
The most recent was the plight of three female doctors who committed suicide including a young cardiologist in late March and two other doctors in April.
On March 23, only four days after Nowruz, cardiologist Parastoo Bakhshi committed suicide in Delfan city in the western province of Lorestan. She had a child.
On April 26, rheumatologist Samira Al-e Saeedi, 35, who had graduated with honors from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, committed suicide due to work pressure. The day before her suicide, she had told the other residents of her plan to commit suicide with medication but was not taken seriously.
On April 30, Zahra Maleki Ghorbani, 28, a female doctor from the port city of Jask in the southern province of Hormozgan, committed suicide.
According to some users of social networks, Dr. Leila Modarres Enshaii also committed suicide in recent weeks, but there is no information about her details and the reason for her suicide.
Is there an end to these suicides?
These examples are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to suicides among female doctors.
The alarming increase in the number of medical staff suicides in Iran was previously reflected in the prestigious Lancet medical journal under the title “Iranian medic suicides spark criticism of working conditions.”
Iran’s Association of Psychiatrists considers the frequency of suicides among female doctors to be several times higher than in the entire population of the country. The Association submitted two letters to the Minister of Health and Medical Education but did not receive a response.
In this report, the head of the Iranian Psychiatrists’ Association accused the Ministry of Health of hiding the exact statistics of suicides among Iran’s medical staff.
Of course, one should not expect the regime’s officials to make such statistics public. As far as this regime and its officials are concerned, they neither want nor can solve Iran’s problems.
The only solution to the problems of Iranian women, including female doctors and medical staff, is regime change and the overthrow of the misogynist, inhumane regime.
