US-Israel strikes damage 449 health facilities in Iran, 40,000 treated free
Iran’s emergency chief said Wednesday that 449 healthcare and medical facilities across the country were damaged during what officials call the “Third Imposed War,” while more than 40,000 wounded people received free treatment as the health sector remained fully operational throughout the conflict.
Speaking at a press conference at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Jafar Miadfar said 26 emergency personnel were killed and 118 injured during the hostilities.
Miadfar said the damage extended to 74 logistical support units, 62 ambulances, 54 emergency bases and 42 hospitals, with nine hospitals completely destroyed and forced out of service.
He said four of Iran’s air ambulance helicopters and the country’s only marine emergency vessel — used to transfer patients from Hormuz to Bandar Abbas — were struck by the United States and Israel.
“The health sector was present with 100% capacity,” Miadfar said, adding that all victims were treated free of charge. He said 1,283 surgeries were performed during the war.
Among the injured were 5,046 women and 2,018 people under 18, he said. The youngest fatality was a three-year-old child, while the oldest was 88.
Miadfar said 30 of Iran’s 31 provinces and 272 cities came under attack, with only North Khorasan Province spared.
He also highlighted the performance of Ardabil’s medical university, calling it one of the country’s top 10 institutions in pre-hospital emergency care.
Iran currently operates 4,500 ambulances nationwide, but 3,000 are worn out and due for replacement, Miadfar said, adding that 20 new ambulances are set to be procured for Ardabil Province.
Iranian officials say the conflict began on February 28, as Tehran was engaged in serious negotiations with Washington, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on multiple locations across Iran.