Gathering of Radiologists in Front of Iran's Ministry of Health

Reports from Tehran indicate that a number of radiologists and sonologists from across Iran gathered in front of the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education to protest against 'self-referral and the performance of ultrasound in the offices of obstetricians and gynecologists.' According to the 'self-referral' plan, permission has been granted for obstetricians to perform pregnancy ultrasounds, and specialists can have ultrasound equipment in their offices. In this context, news agencies estimated the number of participants in this gathering to be between 100 (ILNA news agency) and 2,000 (IMNA news agency). According to Fars news agency, recent news about the gathering of radiologists in protest against the recent ultrasound directive in front of the northern door of the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education had been published in medical groups. Additionally, the Iranian Radiology Association had informed the director of the Ministry's security department about the gathering on February 7. In this context, ILNA reported that more than 100 radiologists and sonologists gathered in front of the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education. ILNA quoted one of the participants in this gathering, which continued until noon on Tuesday, February 13, stating that 'such plans benefit a specific minority. The medical equipment import mafia intends to gain more profit by importing devices and equipment, and in the meantime, radiologists and sonologists are harmed.' According to this radiologist, the self-referral plan favors doctors and equipment importers and causes problems for paramedical groups. Meanwhile, IMNA reported the number of participants as 2,000 and quoted one of the participating radiologists stating that 'all radiology centers across Iran will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, and, in coordination with the national radiology association, a number of specific centers will be designated for referring emergency patients.' He stated that all radiologists demand an end to the self-referral of obstetricians and gynecologists and the prevention of performing radiology and ultrasound in offices without proper specialization. At the same time, according to Fars news agency, this gathering took place while Reza Seyed Alikhani, head of the security center of the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, stated: 'Any gathering without permission in front of the Ministry of Health is illegal, and the responsibility for its consequences falls on the organizers.' He added: 'Medical groups should pursue their demands through legal channels, including the Medical Council, which is responsible for following up on the legal demands of medical groups with the Ministry of Health.' According to Fars, radiologists had previously gathered in 2015 in front of the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, which faced 'violent confrontations from the officials of this ministry and the entry of police forces to the scene,' and 'ultimately, the requests remained unanswered.' Meanwhile, Hossein Kermpour, vice president of the Iranian Radiology Association, in an interview with the Young Journalists Club website regarding the reason for radiologists' opposition to the new directive of the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education said: 'This directive exacerbates the phenomenon of self-referral, also endangering public health and putting additional pressure on the health economy in the country.' He criticized the Ministry of Health officials for what he called 'decision-making behind closed doors and without consulting members of the radiology field,' while stating: 'The Ministry of Health is facing problems in paying costs and issues directives that impose additional financial burdens on the people and insurance organizations.' In response, Ghasem Janbabayi, the deputy minister of health, treatment, and medical education, told the Young Journalists Club that 'the shortage of radiologists across the country, especially in underprivileged and less developed areas, is evident and clear, and while this shortage may not pose life-threatening risks in some cases, it becomes significantly important when the health of a pregnant mother and her child is at stake.' He announced that 200 cities lack radiologists and added that the treatment deputy 'has issued a regulation to empower obstetricians and gynecologists to perform level one ultrasound in public centers in underprivileged areas, considering the existing conditions, including the lack of access to specialized radiologists in deprived areas, after four detailed and technical sessions with members of the radiology association and taking their opinions into account.' On the other hand, Ali Nobakht Haghighi, head of the Health and Treatment Commission of the Parliament, in an interview with the Young Journalists Club website, reacted to the gathering in front of the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education by saying: 'Protests in front of the Parliament or the Ministry of Health for the sake of rights, which are known as street protests, are not legal channels.'