U.S. Strike Near Ahvaz Cancer Hospital Forces Evacuation of 211 Patients
WANA (Jul 16) – A U.S. strike near Shahid Baghaei Hospital in Ahvaz, one of the region’s main treatment centers for cancer and blood disorders, prompted the emergency evacuation of the facility and the transfer of 211 hospitalized patients to other medical centers.
According to reports, several missiles struck areas adjacent to Shahid Baghaei Hospital during U.S. attacks on locations around the city of Ahvaz. The hospital, which provides specialized care for cancer patients—particularly children undergoing chemotherapy—was not directly hit, but the powerful explosions caused widespread fear and panic among patients, their families, and medical staff, leading to an emergency evacuation.
The director of Shahid Baghaei Hospital said that all 211 inpatients were safely relocated. Patients whose conditions allowed were temporarily discharged with medical approval, while those requiring continued specialized care were transferred to other hospitals, including Golestan and Shafa hospitals.
He added that all inpatient wards had been evacuated as a precautionary measure and expressed hope that the hospital would resume normal operations within the coming days, subject to security conditions and approval from the relevant authorities.
Shahid Baghaei Hospital is one of Khuzestan Province’s leading specialized centers for the treatment of cancer and hematological diseases, particularly pediatric cancers, serving patients from across the province and neighboring regions.
Meanwhile, Khuzestan’s Deputy Governor for Security Affairs stated that four locations around Ahvaz were targeted in the attacks and that, according to preliminary reports, no fatalities had been recorded.
The head of the Ministry of Health’s Public Relations Center also said that many patients and their companions fled the hospital after the intense blasts and tremors, while critically ill patients were being transferred to other medical facilities under emergency arrangements.
