Economic Instability and the Motivation for Doctors and Nurses to Emigrate
The situation for doctors and nurses in Iran has become a severe crisis within the country’s healthcare system. Reports from various media outlets indicate that this hardworking group faces numerous economic and livelihood challenges, leading to widespread despair and the emigration of many.
Economic and Livelihood Problems for Nurses
Low Wages and Forced Overtime
According to a report from the Tasnim News Agency, a semi-official news agency in Iran, on June 24, 2024: “The medical staff and those in related fields face serious problems. Nurses are in very tough conditions, and these economic issues must be resolved. A nurse works an eight-hour shift for 160,000 tomans (approximately $4 USD) and says driving for Snapp (an Iranian ride-hailing app similar to Uber) would be better.” This unfair economic situation has led many nurses to consider emigration.
Emigration of Nurses Due to Unfair Conditions
Mohammad Sharifi Moghadam, Secretary-General of the Nurses’ House, stated that around 3,000 nurses leave the country each year, while the Ministry of Health does not hire even these many new personnel.
According to the Entekhab website, another semi-official Iranian news outlet, on March 12, 2024: “The 140% increase in the wave of emigration of young specialists in the past year, more than half of whom were women, can be attributed to the strategy of leaving due to despair over changing or reforming of the government.”
On April 16, 2024, the Arman Melli newspaper, a so-called “reformist” publication, reported: “The number of nurses who have emigrated or are preparing to emigrate is increasing in each news update. There are also occasional reports of mass resignations and, most distressingly, suicides among nurses. This cannot be attributed to anything other than depression from economic pressures, overwork, and not being in positions that match their expertise and skills.”
Increased Workload and Low Pay for Overtime
Another major issue is forced overtime with inadequate pay. On July 2, 2024, the Shargh newspaper, known for its so-called “reformist” stance, reported that nurses receive between 20,000 to 25,000 tomans (approximately $0.50 to $0.60 USD) per hour for overtime, which does not correspond to the difficulty and effort of their work. In some medical centers, nurses are even subjected to physical abuse and receive only 15,000 to 20,000 tomans (approximately $0.35 to $0.50 USD) per hour for overtime, which is not enough to buy a can of tuna.
Nurse shortages
Ahmad Nejatiyan, the head of the Nursing Organization, highlighted the severe shortage of nurses in the country as evident and clear. He stated, “At present, we have fewer than one nurse per hospital bed.” (The state-run Tasnim news agency, August 11, 2024)
He added, “Unfortunately, in some regions of the country, such as Ahvaz, the number of nurses per bed is less than half, indicating poor management in recruiting nurses. The reason for this shortage is the migration and resignation of nurses.”
Patients Dying Due to Nurse Shortages
The severe economic problems and intense workload have caused many nurses to become highly discouraged due to staff shortages and unfair conditions. This situation is dangerous not only for nurses but also for patients, significantly impacting the quality of healthcare services.
Mohammad Sharifi Moghadam, Secretary-General of the Nurses’ House, stated: “No nurse is satisfied. In an official statistic, we previously announced that over 90% of nurses are dissatisfied with their jobs, and the less than 10% who are satisfied do not work in clinical settings, like matron nurses.” He continued: “The current shortage of nurses is so serious that patients are dying due to this shortage. If you don’t hear this from patients or their families, it’s either because they are unaware or they are accepting these shortages out of helplessness. I can confidently say that patients are dying due to a lack of nurses.” (Asr Iran newspaper, another prominent Iranian news outlet, on November 12, 2023)
Low Salaries and Benefits for Doctors
Medical Consultation Fees Equivalent to Snacks
In the situation created by the Iranian government, doctors also face very low living standards. Low medical fees and insufficient income have led to dissatisfaction and emigration among many doctors.
On April 12, 2024, the Arman Emrooz newspaper reported: “Recently, new medical fees were announced. The fees for general practitioners and specialists were met with widespread criticism on social media.
“According to these rates, a general practitioner’s visit is 250,000 tomans (approximately $6 USD), a general dentist’s and specialist doctor’s visit is 126,000 tomans (approximately $3 USD), and a specialist dentist’s and general physician’s visit is 198,000 tomans (approximately $5 USD) for the current year. However, these amounts do not align with the ongoing inflation, office rent, monthly staff salaries, etc. According to experts, these fees, which are not even enough for daily snacks, are causing disillusionment and increased emigration among doctors.”
Iraj Khosronia, President of the Association of Internal Medicine Specialists of Iran, stated: “Compared to the population and neighboring countries, our country does not have a bad situation in terms of the number of doctors, and this number meets the country’s needs. However, the important issue is the livelihood and facilities for doctors in Iran. Doctors have no place to work, and many of them either work with very low wages or turn to other jobs. About 25,000 doctors, out of all those who have graduated, have either left their jobs, emigrated, or turned to other professions” (Arman Emrooz newspaper, April 12, 2024).
The Only Prospect for Improving the Lives of Medical Staff in Iran
As long as the current regime remains in power, there is no prospect for improving the situation for doctors and healthcare staff. This entirely corrupt system not only loots all oil revenues and national wealth or spends them on war-mongering and anti-national missile and nuclear projects, but it also embezzles the meager budgets of ministries and does not pay employees’ salaries. Therefore, the only solution to these problems is the downfall of this inhumane and medieval regime and its replacement with a democratic government.
