TEHRAN –Razieh Alishvandi, the director of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) for international affairs, has underscored the importance of rehabilitation in relief and rescue services, considering it an essential part of supporting those affected by crises.   

Rehabilitation means restoring life,  mobility, personal independence, and psychological peace to those affected by the crisis. Without physical and psychological rehabilitation, the life-saving cycle will remain incomplete, the IRCS quoted Alishvandi as saying.

The official made the remarks while addressing a workshop on becoming familiar with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement services in the treatment and rehabilitation sectors. The workshop was held today (on Monday) in Tehran.

Highlighting the IRCS’s experiences in providing rehabilitation services to war veterans, natural disaster victims, and patients suffering from hard-to-cure illnesses, the official said the IRCS has made a significant contribution to the advancement of rehabilitation through establishing specialized treatment and rehab centers.

The official also mentioned that some 38 drugstores affiliated with the IRCS are manufacturing medicines for hard-to-cure illnesses, which further highlights the potential of the IRCS as a role model in the region.

Holding the international rehabilitation conference with the participation of 19 countries is a typical example of scientific and humanitarian cooperation. Such gatherings aim to improve not only scientific knowledge, but also strengthen ties among nations and countries, Alishvandi said.

“No single country can tackle the consequences of crises. However, with global solidarity and cooperation, we can support those in need through difficult times. Rehabilitation is not just limited to treating physical injuries, but also restoring self-esteem and hope for life,” she further noted.

Addressing the workshop, Hamid-Reza Dehqan, an official with the IRCS, announced the IRCS's readiness to foster international cooperation in rehabilitation sectors with other societies.

The workshop aims to strengthen understanding of the foundations of the movement and uphold the principle of neutrality in conflict situations. This neutrality is the main foundation of our activities, whether in ensuring equal access to medical services or in preserving human dignity in the most difficult circumstances, the official noted.

The workshop serves as a valuable opportunity for the expansion of joint interactions with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and to implement projects in various fields, particularly mental health. Despite limitations, the positive outcomes in the treatment sector show that society is moving in the right direction.

Understanding and adhering to the seven principles of the movement, in addition to increasing the quality of services, will lead to job satisfaction and motivation among employees. This is what makes serving in the Red Crescent a valuable and enjoyable experience, Dehqan said.

Establishing a secretariat for rehabilitation services

On February 16, IRCS and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) agreed on setting up a joint secretariat on rehabilitation services in Tehran.

Pirhossein Kolivand, the head of the IRCS, said rehabilitation is an essential part of universal health coverage.

“Due to war and other accidents, rehabilitation services are greatly needed in the country. That’s why the Society started providing rehabilitation services and manufacturing prostheses and orthotics. Currently, 200 rehabilitation centers are operating in Iran, and the conference will focus on the activities of these centers,” he added.

“We look forward to expanding international collaborations. It is essential to establish a secretariat to follow up on the issues. We will do our best to help those who need rehabilitation services,” Kolivand further noted.

François Friedel, the head of the ICRC physical rehabilitation, for his part, said, “Social and psychological aspects of rehabilitation are highly important. Undoubtedly, the establishment of the secretariat in Tehran can help address the problems and enhance cooperation among societies. The issue of rehabilitation is important for the International Red Cross Committee, and we are ready to cooperate with the Iranian Red Crescent Society in this field.”

MT/MG