US sanctions and its consequences on orthopedic surgery on Iran

Abstract

Background Health and medical services are fundamental demand in civilized nations. Sanctions have always been an obstacle for development, even in health and medical topics, since they aim to reduce the financial and economic power of a country, and their impacts on medical and health systems in the objected country are on inevitable. It is well-established that sanctions contribute to a shortage of supplies in medical devices, and instruments. The shortage of the unique resources of newly-introduced medical and surgical devices prohibits surgeons from implementing novel techniques, which are known to improve medical care service quality. However, considering the application of the sanctions, these products will not be accessible for Iranian patients, and less safe and more complicated approaches will replace them. Results In this study we surveyed opinion of 32 orthopedic surgeons about effect of sanction on orthopedic surgery. Our result showed in upper limb surgeries high cost of equipment have more answers between question, although in lower limb surgeon Changing of method due to lack of facilities with worse results than standard method has more frequency between answer. Both results indicate that sanction made more difficult feasibility of orthopedic surgeon. Conclusions We believe several actions are needed to take place in the current situation by the international organization, to stop this unreasonable and illogical sanction, to prevent devastating results of them.