Critical Shortage of Medical Equipment in Iran Endangers Lives Amid Economic Crisis - Iran News Update

The ongoing shortage of medical equipment in Iran has escalated to a life-threatening crisis, causing numerous preventable deaths. The situation is becoming increasingly dire as the Iranian Ministry of Health cites severe financial shortfalls and foreign currency shortages as the primary factors.

In May 2024, the government shifted its currency allocation priorities due to budgetary constraints and a steep rise in exchange rates. As a result, the prices of essential medical supplies—such as stents, dialysis catheters (Shaldons), and knee prostheses—have skyrocketed, with some increasing tenfold. This surge in prices has made these critical items scarce, putting immense pressure on the country’s healthcare system.

Shargh newspaper, in its October 9 issue, highlighted this worsening crisis:“People travel long distances to Tehran, believing that the capital’s hospitals are well-equipped to save the lives of critically ill patients. However, many hearts stop beating in disbelief under the watchful eyes of their loved ones and the hands of even the most skilled specialists. The root of this tragedy lies in the persistent issue of oil sales, currency shortages, the devaluation of the rial, abrupt government directives, and vital medical supplies stuck in customs. As medical equipment disappears into the black market, the pulse of life weakens for many patients, with golden moments of survival reduced to seconds.”

The article detailed the heartbreaking case of a young boy named Junaid from Zabol, born with a congenital heart defect. He was transferred to Tehran for surgery to implant a stent in his aorta. However, the price of the required stent had surged nearly tenfold in a few months, making it extremely difficult to obtain. Three compassionate doctors volunteered to donate 100 million tomans each to fund the surgery in a private hospital. Tragically, despite their efforts, the stent did not arrive in time, and Junaid’s heart gave out, leading to his untimely death. His grieving family returned the money to the doctors.

On September 14, Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi, the Iranian Minister of Health and Medical Education, publicly acknowledged the critical shortage of medical equipment. He recounted a personal experience:“Not long ago, a long-serving female member of parliament required a Permacath for her dialysis. Despite the urgency, the device was unavailable, and she remained in the operating room for four hours. If this had been a heart patient, we would have lost them.”

Zafarghandi also warned of the alarming decline in the healthcare sector’s share of Iran’s GDP, describing the painful scenes he witnesses daily:“Today, I met a young man in a wheelchair outside the Ministry of Health, struggling to get his medication. These scenes are distressing for our healthcare community, and we must work together to find solutions.”

Saeed Tabatabai, an orthopedic specialist, added that many patients are now trapped in unbearable pain due to the lack of medical equipment.“For example, knee prostheses have become scarce, with prices soaring from 5 million to 50 million tomans in just a few months. Many patients are now forced to endure severe joint pain because they cannot afford the necessary treatment.”

Tabatabai’s colleagues have similarly reported shortages in equipment for laparoscopic surgeries, with vital medical supplies stuck in customs due to changes in import exchange rates. Mohammadreza Hashemian, an intensive care unit (ICU) specialist, described the chaos caused by this shortage:“The absence of critical equipment in hospitals has created a nightmare. Items essential for administering special serums to critically ill patients are now rare, and even high-quality syringes are hard to find. As a result, patients are facing serious complications.”

Hashemian further criticized the government’s slow response, noting that more than a month after the appointment of the new health minister, many key decisions regarding patients’ lives remain unresolved:“The Ministry of Health has acknowledged the presence of a mafia in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment markets. But why hasn’t this mafia been identified and dismantled? With just a phone call, vital medical equipment can be sourced, but at exorbitant prices and often too late. No one takes responsibility for the lives lost due to these delays and costs.”

As Iran grapples with its economic woes, the healthcare system—once a symbol of hope for many—is now on the brink of collapse. The lives of countless patients hang in the balance, waiting for decisive action to address the escalating medical crisis.