Don't Take Us to Hospital': Iran's Protesters Seek Secret Treatment

6,301 people are confirmed dead. 11,000 more lie wounded. But many of those injured can't seek the medical care they desperately need. They're too afraid of being arrested.

A month after Iran's brutal crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests, the wounded are still suffering in silence. Denied even the right to medical treatment, they're hiding in homes, relying on secret care from doctors willing to risk everything.

'Just Don't Shoot Us'

Tara (not her real name) was protesting in Isfahan when security forces arrived on motorcycles. "My friend told an armed member of the security forces, 'Just don't shoot us,' and he immediately fired several shots at us," she told the BBC.

Hit by birdshot, Tara and her friend were bundled into a stranger's car, their clothes soaked in blood. But instead of heading to a hospital, Tara made a desperate plea: "Don't take us to a hospital."

They spent the night hiding at a couple's home before finding a doctor willing to treat them secretly. The surgeon who later operated on them at home delivered sobering news: "They cannot all be removed and will remain in your bodies."

Hospitals Become Hunting Grounds

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the recent crackdown killed 6,301 people, including 5,925 protesters and 112 children. Another 17,091 deaths are under investigation.

But for the wounded, hospitals have become dangerous places. Healthcare workers tell the BBC that security forces are stationed in hospitals, constantly monitoring medical records to identify injured protesters.

Nima, a surgeon in Tehran, witnessed the carnage firsthand on January 8th. "I put one of the wounded in the boot of my car to take him to hospital, as I was worried that we would get in trouble," he said.

For 96 hours straight, Nima operated without sleep. "We were crying and operating. All our clothes and hospital gowns were covered in blood - everything was soaked in the blood of these young people."

Targeting the Eyes

The scale of eye injuries reveals a particularly disturbing pattern. Dr. Qasem Fakhrai, head of Tehran's Farabi Eye Hospital, reported treating 700 patients with severe eye injuries requiring emergency surgery by January 10th, with nearly 200 more referred to other hospitals.

Saeed's friend was shot in the eyes with birdshot during protests in Arak. At the specialist hospital in Tehran, nurses secretly moved eye injury patients to operating theaters through back entrances using staff elevators.

"Around 200 people with eye injuries from different cities were being treated at that hospital," Saeed said. "The surgeon didn't charge him for two operations."

When Doctors Become Targets

Now, the medical professionals who dared to treat protesters are facing retaliation. Iran Human Rights (IHR) reports that at least five doctors and one volunteer first responder have been arrested.

Dr. Alireza Golchini, a surgeon from Qazvin, was beaten at his home by security forces before being arrested for treating injured protesters. He's been charged with "moharebeh" (enmity against God) - an offense punishable by death under Iranian law.

"Security agencies appear to be aiming to intimidate the public and obstruct treatment for injured protesters," IHR warned.

The Underground Medical Network

Despite the risks, an informal network of medical volunteers continues operating. Healthcare workers avoid mentioning gunshot wounds in medical records. Eye hospitals use back entrances and staff elevators. Surgeons operate in homes, refusing payment.

Sina, who took his wounded brother to a Tehran hospital, described scenes reminiscent of a war zone: "There were so many wounded that there were no blankets or medical kits. When I asked a nurse for a blanket, she told me to bring one from home."

They had no choice but to use their real ID numbers for health insurance, knowing security forces could raid their home at any moment.