Doctors’ Network Extends Aid Thousands of Kilometers Away: Global Impact Revealed

In the city of Essen, Shabnam Fahimi-Weber, an ENT specialist, often finds herself glued to her mobile phone, awaiting urgent news from Iran. The country she once called home is now a place she can only help from afar, notably through ParsiMed, a network she co-founded to aid those injured in the protests that have shaken Iran since 2022.

Remote Healthcare Amidst Protests

The Iranian government’s harsh response to demonstrators, who often avoid hospitals for fear of arrest, has necessitated a unique form of medical intervention. Fahimi-Weber and her colleagues offer remote consultations, guiding through treatments via video calls, and helping manage medical supplies from thousands of kilometers away.

One recent caller, a young protester, had been shot in the thigh and was treated at home due to the risk of apprehension at hospitals. His wound, severely infected after two days without proper medical attention, was tended to virtually by doctors in Germany, who instructed how to properly clean and dress the wound—a procedure carried out by his sister, with no medical training.

Communication Challenges

Protest activity led the Iranian regime to severely restrict internet access, complicating the efforts of Fahimi-Weber and her team. Initial days of the blackout were particularly stifling for communication, but connections were slowly reestablished through satellite links, allowing for the continuation of urgent medical support.

Virtual Treatment Saves Lives

The network has become a lifeline for many, with doctors providing assessments and treatment protocols for conditions such as gunshot wounds and broken bones, all managed through digital means. The recent case of a 17-year-old boy with a broken nose highlighted the ongoing need for remote medical assistance; his family too feared the potential repercussions of visiting a hospital.

Despite the lack of official casualty figures, human rights groups estimate at least 500 individuals have died since the protests began. Eyewitness accounts and leaked videos hint at a death toll much higher, with security forces reportedly targeting protestors with lethal intent.

The Fear Among Medical Professionals in Iran

Inside Iran, even healthcare professionals are wary of treating protestors. Malahat Daneshvaran, a pharmacist from Essen-Haarzopf, collaborates with Fahimi-Weber to review medical cases remotely. She describes the palpable fear among Iranian medics, who risk their own safety to provide care. Hospitals are no longer safe havens, but rather points of capture for the injured.

As the situation remains dire, with dwindling blood supplies reported across Iran, the need for such remote assistance highlights a desperate reality. Fahimi-Weber remains hopeful for fewer injuries, yet the reality on the ground predicts otherwise. She urges those in Iran to donate blood, highlighting the regime’s negligence towards its citizens’ medical needs during these tumultuous times.