Mojtaba Khamenei, in a message on the occasion of Nurses' Day, referred to nurses as key factors in the physical and mental health of society. He emphasized that health officials should prioritize the motivation and dignity of nurses and described their role as extending beyond the physical treatment of patients. On this day, praises and commendations for nurses come amid harsh realities regarding the working conditions of this group.
Human Resources Crisis in the Healthcare System
Mohammad Sharifi-Moghadam, Secretary-General of the Nurses' House, in response to Khamenei's remarks, pointed to the worsening human resources crisis in Iran's healthcare system. In an interview with ILNA news agency, he mentioned issues such as low salaries, mandatory overtime, and work pressure that have forced many nurses to leave their jobs or emigrate. Sharifi-Moghadam also noted that even nurses with 20 years of experience do not find continuing work in hospitals financially viable.
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Despair and Protests of Nurses
The Secretary-General of the Nurses' House warned that the decrease in nurses' protests may not be a sign of improvement but could indicate their despair regarding the possibility of change. He believes that increasing the capacity for nursing students without improving working conditions and retaining experienced staff will not solve the existing crisis. Sharifi-Moghadam emphasized that the healthcare system would practically collapse without nursing, and reforming payment systems and improving working conditions are essential to address this crisis.
This Nurses' Day, marked as the birthday of Zainab, the sister of the second Imam of Shia Muslims, seems to carry a mix of hopes and despair. While praises for nurses are high, the realities of the daily lives of this hardworking group have faded in the shadow of economic and social problems.
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