Afghan Refugee In Iran Is Now An Obstetrics Surgeon

TEHRAN, June 18 (Bernama) -- Afghan refugee Nasibah Heydari is now an obstetrics surgeon in Iran, an achievement she and her family never dreamed would be possible.

Nasibah, 32, said she faced tremendous obstacles in pursuing her dream, Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.

"Travelling long distances to school, money shortages, long periods away from family, cultural discrimination and social pressure from my own community which could have limited my access to education," she said.

"Yet, all this was worth it -- I have a promising and fulfilling road ahead," she said.

Looking at the future of Afghanistan and the challenging and tough conditions there, including the high maternal death rate, Nasibah decided to study obstetrics to help make a difference and support fellow Afghans.

"I now work in Shahr-e-Rey in south of Tehran and have treated more than 700 patients since I started working a few months ago, many of whom are my fellow citizens," she said.

Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Nasibah, her father, mother and older sister fled to Iran from a small village in Kandahar province in Afghanistan.

After several days walking across mountains, rivers and deserts, they sought refuge in north-east Iran before settling in the city of Mashhad.

When she was eight years old and had only just started school, Nasibah and her family moved from Mashhad to Damavand, where her father could farm day and night to support his growing family.

"The chance to have access to education from primary school to university is the greatest service that Iran has extended to me and many other refugees in this country," said Nasibah.

Her story is just one example of how the Iranian government, with the support of UNHCR, provides support to refugees through education, health, vocational skills and opportunities so they can eventually help to rebuild their own country.

There are more than 840,000 Afghan refugees living in Iran.

The Iranian government assists refugees with medical services, education, literacy classes and also employment.

Between January 2002 and 2013, UNHCR assisted more than 915,000 Afghans to return home voluntarily.

Nasibah hopes peace and stability will prevail in Afghanistan so she can return one day.

"When I go back I will bring home many good memories from Iran. I will be grateful to have had the opportunity to have lived and studied in peace and security for such a long time," she said.

"I hope that in the future, I will be able to help women back home with the knowledge I have acquired in Iran," she said.

-- BERNAMA