WHO warns Iranian hospitals, medical staff caught in crossfire

2026-03-04 - 10:32

The head of the World Health Organization issued a fresh warning Wednesday about the impact of the escalating conflict on Iran's health infrastructure, reporting that multiple hospitals and emergency centers have sustained damage since the US-Israeli strikes began Saturday. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus detailed incidents affecting medical facilities in Tehran and two other cities, underscoring the growing toll on civilian infrastructure. Tehran hospital hit Tedros stated on social media platform X that blasts near Motahari Hospital in the Iranian capital damaged parts of the facility and forced the evacuation of patients and health workers on March 1. "Health facilities, staff and patients are being affected amid the ongoing conflict in Iran," he said, providing specific details of the incident that disrupted medical services in Tehran. Emergency centers damaged The WHO chief added that two medical emergency centers in the cities of Sarab and Hamedan also sustained damage, with at least two medical staff reportedly injured in those incidents. The pattern of strikes affecting health infrastructure raises concerns about the broader humanitarian impact of the conflict, which has now claimed nearly 800 lives according to Iranian figures. Calls for protection Tedros stressed that hospitals and clinics are particularly vital during crises and must be protected from the effects of armed conflict. "During times of crisis, hospitals and clinics are needed more than ever," he said. "This is why it is imperative to ensure their protection at all times." The WHO chief reiterated his urgent appeal to all parties involved in the fighting to safeguard health workers and medical facilities. Regional context The damage to Iranian health facilities comes amid a widening regional conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes that have killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior military commanders. Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US assets, with the conflict now expanding to include Lebanon and affecting medical infrastructure across multiple countries.