WHO and France Strengthen Pre-hospital Emergency Response for Afghan Refugees and Deprived Communities in Iran

In a joint effort to support enhancing pre-hospital emergency response capacities in provinces hosting Afghan refugee populations, the World Health Organization (WHO), with contribution of the Government of France, has donated three Hardtop 4x4 ambulances to the National Emergency Management Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran (NEMO). NEMO serves as the primary provider of pre-hospital emergency care in the country.

In his remarks during the handover ceremony, Dr Jafar Miadfar, the Head of the NEMO, expressed gratitude towards WHO for its continuous efforts to improve pre-hospital emergency services in underprivileged provinces.

Highlighting the pressing need for support, Dr Miadfar underscored the impact of a significant rise in road accidents attributed to unusual movements and the illegal transit of Afghan refugees within the country. He emphasized the vital role of WHO in addressing these challenges and enhancing emergency medical services nationwide.

Dr Miadfar shed light on the additional hurdles faced by NEMO, citing the consequences of imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran. “Procurement of essential medical resources, including ambulances and medical equipment, has become a substantial challenge for the organization. Despite these obstacles, we remain hopeful that collaborative efforts with WHO will contribute to overcoming these difficulties and further improve emergency healthcare in the country,” he said.

“The anticipated impact of this donation is considerable, with the ambulances expected to provide pre-hospital emergency care for approximately 5,500 road traffic victims and other health emergencies patients annually. WHO remains committed to supporting the strengthening of emergency response capacities in Iran, ensuring the well-being of both refugees and the host communities,” said Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO Representative and Head of Mission to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In line with WHO’s ongoing support to NEMO, the donated ambulances will be allocated to Sistan & Baluchistan and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces. These regions, characterized by high rates of road traffic accidents and limited resources, stand to benefit significantly from the enhancement of emergency response capacities. 

The infusion of these ambulances into the emergency fleet is expected to substantially reduce response times, consequently leading to a decrease in mortality and morbidity rates in the recipient provinces.