Iranian nurses during the war did not only experience the sounds of explosions and air raid sirens; they also faced a tough test of preserving their own lives and saving others through their sacrifice and dedication. Monijeh Ahani, the educational supervisor at Hakim Children's Hospital, and Maryam Amini, the head nurse at Mohab Kowsar Hospital, shared their bittersweet memories from those days in a special program for Nurses' Day and examined its impact on their future decisions.
Heroism in the Face of Danger
Monijeh Ahani recalls the experiences of nurses at Hakim Children's Hospital during the war: "Despite all the hardships, those days were filled with scenes of love and sacrifice for us. Each of those days brings back a different memory in our minds." She remembers how, in critical conditions, they would transfer patients to safe areas, risking their own lives.
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Hakim Children's Hospital, located in District 18 of Tehran, although not directly exposed to the dangers of war, served as a safe place for receiving patients from other hospitals. Ahani adds: "We had to quickly prepare the conditions for admitting and transferring children and infants. This was our responsibility."
Youths' Experiences in Crisis
Maryam Amini also refers to the experiences of young nurses in critical conditions, stating: "Many young nurses, especially those born in the 1970s, had no experience of war. The 12-day and 40-day wars were their first serious crisis experiences." She mentions the voluntary readiness of these young nurses to work shifts during critical conditions, saying: "Even though they had no experience, they volunteered to ensure that shifts were not left empty."
Amini also recounts one of the strangest events of the 12-day war, an incident that later became part of the narrative of the film 'Midnight'. She explains: "During the 12-day war, we had a severe strike near the hospital, and everyone thought that the hospital itself might be targeted just minutes later."
She recalls that on one critical night, after the delivery of a pregnant mother in dangerous conditions, they had to evacuate the hospital. This nurse says: "As one of the volunteer staff, I was going through my third consecutive night shift. On the first floor of the hospital, the windows were at risk, and we had to transfer patients to safe areas."
Amini refers to the moments after the birth of the newborn, saying: "In critical conditions and in the darkness of the park, I performed resuscitation on the newborn. This experience was one of the most unforgettable moments of my nursing career."
This nurse further explains the impact of the war on the future decisions of nurses: "The experience of the 12-day war led some nurses to reconsider emigration and continue their dedication and commitment to serving patients." She points out that the sacrifices and dedication of nurses should be considered alongside their economic challenges.
These bittersweet experiences reflect the commitment and sacrifice of Iranian nurses during the difficult days of war and remind us that their heroism in critical conditions extends beyond saving patients' lives; it also impacts their own destinies.
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