WHO says six hospitals evacuated in Iran, system holding up

A World Health Organization official said on Monday that the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has led to the evacuation of six hospitals but that so far the system appeared to be holding up and authorities have not sought emergency relief from the global health agency.

"The primary healthcare and the health infrastructure of Iran is quite good and robust, and they're able to accommodate the casualties as of now," WHO regional director Hanan Balkhy told Reuters.

Iran's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, said on Monday that over 1,300 people have been killed since the February 28 conflict began and more than 7,000 people injured.

The WHO, which has an office in Tehran and helps Iranian authorities with disease management, has verified 18 attacks on health care and the killing of eight medics.

Balkhy said the WHO has contingency plans to move in emergency supplies should the situation deteriorate further.

One risk is that "black rain" caused by leaking toxic compounds from damaged oil facilities adds an additional burden on the healthcare system because of rising respiratory infections, she added.