Iran’s Rising Doctor Suicide Rate: A Crisis Amidst Economic Hardships and Working Challenges

The recent suicides of three young female doctors in Iran have contributed to the increasing rate of suicides among doctors in the country, with estimates suggesting a fivefold increase in recent years. Dr. Raz Tzimt from Tel Aviv University provided these statistics in an article published on Monday, June 17, by Ynet.

One of the cases involved 28-year-old Malki Qurbani from Jask, southern Iran, who committed suicide after being reportedly beaten by a patient at the hospital. Another case was Dr. Samira Al-Ya Saidi, a rheumatologist and teacher at the University of Tehran, who left behind an orphaned daughter. Dr. Farastu Bakhshi, a cardiology trainee, also took her own life three months ago.

Dr. Tzimt’s data shows that at least five doctors have committed suicide since the beginning of the Iranian year, and 16 doctors took their own lives in the previous year. Economic hardships, difficult working conditions, and mistreatment by other hospital staff are cited as common causes of suicide among doctors in training in Iran.

Although the overall suicide rate in Iran is lower compared to other countries, not all cases are included in official statistics. The World Health Organization reports a suicide rate of 5.2 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants in Iran, with men accounting for 7.7 cases and women for 2.8 cases per 100 thousand people. Drug overdose and self-immolation are common methods of suicide in the country