Have 17 Doctors Been Arrested for Helping People During the Protests?

According to the Political Desk of Saed News, quoting Eghtesad News, amid the release of contradictory reports about the arrest of doctors during the recent protests, Mohammad Raeiszadeh, President of Iran’s Medical Council Organization, emphasized in an interview that no doctor has been arrested solely for performing their medical duties.

Referring to more than 13,000 surgeries carried out during the days of protests and unrest, Raeiszadeh said that separating the field of healthcare from politics and security is a necessity, adding that the Medical Council is continuously and individually following up on the cases of detained doctors.

Below is the interview with Mohammad Raeiszadeh, President of the Medical Council Organization.

In recent days, reports have circulated about the arrest of 17 doctors during the protests, some of which were later denied. What is the reality, and why hasn’t there been clear transparency on this issue?

Arrests themselves are not unusual. What has been claimed, however, is that these 17 doctors were arrested for helping people during the protests. If that were the case, it should be noted that during this same period, more than 13,000 surgeries were performed nationwide. How do these 17 individuals logically compare to that number?

In any case, a number of individuals have been detained and their cases are under review, and God willing, their problems will be resolved. But this issue has no connection to treating patients, because the entire medical community has been engaged in providing care. Those 13,000 surgeries were performed by this very same medical community.

If any of our colleagues were to be arrested for fulfilling their medical duties, then all doctors should have been arrested. These individuals may have been detained for other reasons during the protests. I personally follow all these cases in detail, case by case and moment by moment, across the country. Monitoring their situation is our responsibility.

Based on the information available to me so far, none of these individuals has been arrested solely for providing medical treatment. Therefore, it is not the case that doctors are being arrested for treating patients—a matter we strongly oppose.

The honor of the medical profession is a red line

So you emphasize that the arrests had nothing to do with doctors’ professional duties?

Yes. I am extremely sensitive to this issue, because the essence of the medical community is to help people wherever and however needed. This is the honor of the medical profession and the professional commitment of physicians.

If it were otherwise, I would personally intervene. That is why we have taken this matter seriously. But the reality is that medical assistance has not stopped in the country. The reason is clear: at least 13,000 injured and ill individuals were treated and examined during this period, and the entire medical community was involved.

Iran’s medical community consists of nearly 400,000 members of the Medical Council Organization. Among them, 16 individuals—like members of other social groups—have been detained, and their cases are being followed up.

Transparency about arrests is the responsibility of the judiciary

Public opinion asks why clear transparency has not been provided, either to you or to citizens.

Answering this question is the responsibility of judicial authorities, not the Medical Council Organization. You should pursue this matter with them. Due to our follow-up on our colleagues’ cases, we are informed about the legal process, and we have been told that interrogations and investigations are ongoing. The atmosphere of protest should not be mixed with healthcare and security. Healthcare must be kept separate from politics. Unfortunately, in some protests, we have witnessed an overlap of these spaces.

Healthcare must remain non-political and non-security-oriented

Our view is that the healthcare sector must remain completely non-political and non-security-oriented. Medical staff must provide services, without any bias, to anyone in need of medical care.

People should also have confidence and peace of mind that, if necessary, they can calmly visit medical centers and receive the required services. Observing this principle is essential for maintaining safety and tranquility in the healthcare sector.

Treatment did not stop even at the height of the protests

Did the country’s conditions cause doctors to hesitate in providing medical services?

I personally announced on television that anyone who had stayed at home for any reason and needed treatment should visit medical centers without concern, to avoid the consequences of delayed care. People did come, and doctors provided services in a calm environment.

As I mentioned, more than 13,000 visits were recorded nationwide, all of which were followed up and treated. This shows that the healthcare environment has remained safe and has continued functioning. It is not the case that a doctor would be arrested simply for treating a patient.

If I were to be arrested, it would have happened by now

Are you personally still treating patients?

Yes. I have provided more treatment than many others and have not been arrested. Even today, as I am speaking with you, I have treated two patients injured in these same incidents again. Right now, I am also writing the medical file of a patient who was shot and whose artery was damaged. If arrest were due to providing treatment, I should be arrested right now.

Follow-ups are ongoing

What is the latest status of the detained doctors?

Some of these individuals have been in detention for several days. I am following their situation moment by moment. The judiciary has its own procedures and regulations, and the final decision rests with them. We hope that once the interrogation process is completed, the matter will be clarified. Follow-up on these cases is continuing.