Reactions Continue Over the Case of a 6-Month-Old Baby's Death at Mofid Hospital

The head of the Medical System Organization of the Islamic Republic criticized the arrest of several doctors and nurses at Mofid Hospital in Tehran following the death of a 6-month-old baby. Mohammad Raiszadeh stated that 'wisdom' should be observed in dealing with such cases. He emphasized that if any negligence occurred, it should be addressed in specialized forums like all medical cases. Reza Laripour, the spokesperson for the Medical System Organization, also expressed similar criticism and announced the release of these individuals. According to domestic media reports in Iran, the father of 'Elna', the 6-month-old baby, stated that on December 9, when they took their child to Mofid Hospital, the hospital staff were protesting due to delayed salaries and did not attend to his child promptly. He has filed a complaint against the medical staff of this hospital, and following the media coverage of this news, four members of the medical staff, including the head of the emergency department, two supervisors, and a head nurse, were arrested. The spokesperson for the Medical System Organization told 'Hamshahri' that even a doctor who was not on duty and had no responsibility regarding this matter was summoned by the investigator. The head of Mofid Hospital stated that the baby was examined after half an hour, but due to rapid breathing, she suffered from bleeding and cardiac arrest. The Ministry of Health has also stated that it will 'specifically' address this case. The issue of medical negligence in this baby's case arises while Mahsa Gharishi, the daughter of famous Iranian actress Bita Farahi, has also criticized the handling of her mother's treatment. In a note published by several Iranian media outlets, she raised questions about why her mother's pneumonia infection was not controlled over three weeks, why she suddenly suffered internal bleeding, and why she deteriorated so quickly. In 2016, claims regarding the death of renowned Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami due to medical errors and negligence became a major controversy in Iran, leading many artists and doctors to take positions against each other. Among them, Daryush Mehrjui's explicit comment that 'negligence and incompetence' of the surgeon caused Mr. Kiarostami's death faced significant reactions. The issuance of a three-month ban on practicing medicine at Jam Hospital for Kiarostami's treating physician was met with much criticism. In June of this year, the director of the Medical Commission of the Forensic Medicine Organization stated that in 2021, 12,120 cases of medical negligence were reviewed, with 47% convicted and 53% acquitted. Babak Salehshour mentioned that obstetrics and gynecology had the highest number of complaints, followed by general surgery and then dentistry. In recent months, numerous reports of conflicts between patients and medical staff have been published. On the other hand, the medical staff in Iran, who faced increased pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic, are among those who are migrating from Iran due to various economic and social problems. The newspaper 'Donya-e-Eqtesad' reported on May 23 that the number of doctors and nurses who left Iran last year exceeded 10,000, and over the past four years, 16,000 general practitioners have migrated from Iran. The design of 'Islamic surgical gowns' for patients in the operating room; the secretary of the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Headquarters stated that it is for 'observing Sharia boundaries'. A knife attack on a Yasouji nurse, a protest gathering of nurses in the courtyard of the Medical Sciences University, a former Sharif University professor expressing concern over the migration trend; the current situation is a 'mass exodus', a warning from the head of the Medical System Organization: accepting a pediatric heart surgeon with a high school diploma is not a solution, the deputy of Raisi does not consider the increase in migration statistics 'dangerous', and the secretary-general of the Nurses' House states that patients die due to a shortage of nurses.