The ongoing conflict in Iran has sparked reactions from governments and international organisations across several continents, with growing concern over its humanitarian and public health implications.
Notable among the warnings is that of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which says the escalation is already affecting health systems in the region.
According to the WHO, at least 13 attacks on healthcare infrastructure in Iran have been confirmed since the conflict intensified. The violence has also resulted in multiple injuries and deaths, further straining medical services and emergency response efforts.
The Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a press conference, expressed concern about the expansion of the conflict and its possible impact on public health across the Middle East.
He warned that continued hostilities could endanger health systems and the lives of civilians both within the region and beyond.
“The conflict is also causing significant displacement. So far, an estimated 100,000 people have left Tehran, and in Lebanon more than 60,000 people have been displaced. At least one million people may be on the move following evacuation orders in the south,” he said.
He added that WHO is working closely with their offices in the affected countries to monitor the impact on the delivery of health services, and provide support when needed and requested, but the impact still has a strain as Operations at WHO’s Logistics Hub for Global Health Emergencies in Dubai are currently on hold due to insecurity
The WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Hanan Balkhy, also highlighted the growing strain on health systems and medical supply chains in the region. “The situation across the Eastern Mediterranean is escalating rapidly, with serious consequences for civilians and health systems,” she said.
She emphasised that attacks on healthcare facilities remain a major concern. According to her, evacuation orders and ongoing violence have forced the closure of 43 primary healthcare centres and two hospitals, while first responders and paramedics have also been killed or injured in the line of duty.
Balkhy stated that the WHO has begun pre-positioning trauma supplies and essential medicines across the region and is supporting countries in maintaining critical public health functions. However, emergency operations continue to face a funding gap of nearly 70 per cent. She also added that without urgent financial support essential services could be disrupted, worsening humanitarian conditions and increasing preventable suffering.
She ended by saying WHO will continue to monitor the situation for mass casualty needs, disruptions to essential public health services, and the health needs for people who have been displaced, and work with countries and health partners to minimize these as quickly as possible, as lives depend on it.
