Iranian Nurses, Medical Staff on the Frontlines of Protests

NCRI Women's Committee

Today, we’ll be discussing the ongoing protests by Iranian nurses, who are courageously standing up against harsh economic conditions, low wages, and difficult working conditions.

We'll also touch on the broader healthcare crisis in Iran. We hope you find this episode both informative and engaging.
The situation in Iran’s healthcare system is extremely troubling. Economic instability, low wages, and forced overtime are pushing both doctors and nurses to their limits. Nurses earn as little as $4 for an eight-hour shift, and many are considering alternative jobs, like driving for ride-hailing apps, to make ends meet. Doctors aren’t much better off, with consultation fees so low they barely cover basic living expenses. This has led to a mass exodus of healthcare professionals, leaving the system in a precarious state. In the past year alone, about 3,000 nurses have left the country.

The rate of emigration among Iranian nurses has surged dramatically. In 2021, an average of 100 to 150 nurses left the country each month. By 2024, that number had jumped to 300 per month. This exodus has led to mass resignations in hospitals nationwide, worsening an already dire situation.