The United States and its European allies have tightened their economic sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program. Iran says the program is for peaceful purposes such as generating electricity and making medical isotopes.

 

Blacklisting of Iran’s major banks has made it extremely difficult to find smaller Iranian banks able to conduct licensed transactions for humanitarian goods, as well as international banks willing to deal with them.

 

Exports of U.S. pharmaceuticals to Iran were cut in half last year compared to 2011, a sign sanctions could be taking their toll on Iranians’ access to basic medical supplies.

 

Government hospitals and pharmacies in Iran late last year also reported a widespread lack of drugs to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, blood disorders and other serious conditions.

 

Following is the text of Dr. Marandi’s letter:

 

Following my letters of 26 November 2012 and 26 January 2013, regarding the highly adverse effect of the comprehensive sanctions imposed by western countries on the health and welfare of the Iranian general population, I write again to underscore that these inhumane sanctions--along with new sanctions against those holding or transacting the Iranian national currency, soon to be implemented by the United States government--are definitely having a significant and negative impact on the health of the Iranian public including women, children, hospital patients, and anyone on medication. 

 

As an individual responsible for monitoring the health of my country’s people at a national level, I again warn you, as one who bears the responsibility of defending fundamental human rights, that the applied sanctions have caused and will continue to cause acute shortages of necessary food and medicine. The sanctions are also making these essential items increasingly more expensive. As a result, these indispensable supplies have become inaccessible to the most vulnerable of society including children, mothers, and the elderly, as well as disease-specific and cancer patients. This has literally stopped many patients from being able to prepare or collect essential medications required for their treatment; we are, therefore, witnessing more and more cases of the gradual malnutrition and death of children and of patients with specific diseases. 

 

For over three decades, Iran has implemented highly successful healthcare plans and programs, backed by the World Health Organization, which have significantly improved the overall health of the entire nation. These achievements are now seriously threatened by the escalation of barbaric sanctions in the past few weeks, particularly by the US government. 

 

Therefore, once again I draw your attention to this extremely vital point. The gross negligence of the United Nations and other international organizations towards this issue of great importance, besides being recorded on the pages of history, will further weaken these already diminished international bodies in defending the inalienable rights of innocent individuals and populations in the face of sadistic collective punishment. 

 

Yours sincerely, 

Seyed Alireza Marandi, M.D. 

 

President, 

Academy of Medical Sciences

 

MT/PA

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