AMA supports the Australian Red Cross and ICRS Global 'Life & Death' campaign

The Red Cross Life & Death campaign aims to:

• address the illegal acts that obstruct delivery of health care;
• strengthen the protection of the sick and wounded; and
• ensure safe access to effective and impartial health care during armed conflict and other situations of violence.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the Red Cross initiative reflects the position of both the AMA and the World Medical Association in respect to health workers providing care in world trouble spots.

“Doctors have an ethical duty to treat individuals without discrimination,” Dr Hambleton said.

“In times of conflict, doctors and other health care workers may be under threat to participate in many activities that are counter to their professional ethos.

“They could be called upon or be put in positions to discriminate against some individuals for reasons other than medical, participate in torture or inhuman treatment, or compromise privacy and confidentiality.

“The ethos of the medical profession is to put patients first, regardless of the wishes or demands of others.

“The primary duty and interest of doctors is to treat the sick and injured, regardless of any competing interests the doctor might have.

“This may put doctors and other health care professionals at risk during times of armed conflict and similar circumstances.

“They deserve protection and the independence to fulfil their duties,” Dr Hambleton said.

Dr Hambleton said the Life & Death campaign would put further much-needed international focus on the challenges faced by dedicated health workers seeking to help and provide care to needy people in places of armed conflict and turmoil.

“Foreign governments and authorities must protect and support doctors and nurses and other health workers who are caring for people injured in armed conflict and unrest around the world,” Dr Hambleton said.

“The Australian Red Cross and the ICRC are to be commended for this outstanding campaign.”

The World Medical Association states that ‘physicians have an ethical duty to care for their patients, and governments have a duty to ensure that appropriate conditions exist to allow them to do so’.

The AMA promotes these principles:

•         the health of patients is the first priority;

•         individual doctors must have the freedom to exercise their professional judgement in the care and treatment of their patients without undue influence by outside parties or individuals;

•         doctors must not use their medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat;

•         doctors must not permit considerations of creed, ethnic origin, nationality, or political affiliation to intervene with their duty to patients.  No distinction should be made between patients, except those based on clinical need;

•         the utmost respect for human life must be maintained, even under threat;

•         doctors must not countenance, condone, or participate in the practice of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading procedures;

•         Governments, armed forces and others in positions of power should comply with the Geneva Conventions to ensure that doctors and other health care professionals can provide care to everyone in need during times of conflict - they must receive protection to do so, and doctors must be granted access to patients and facilities;

•         doctors have a duty to care for the sick and injured.  This care should not be impeded or seen as any offence.  Doctors and others should not be prosecuted or punished for complying with their ethical obligations; and

•         hospitals and facilities situated in war regions must be respected by combatants and others.

The AMA has adopted the World Medical Association Declaration of Seoul on Professional Autonomy and Clinical Independence, Declaration of Geneva, and the Declaration of Tokyo: Guidelines for Physicians Concerning Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Relation to Detention and Imprisonment. 

The AMA supports the World Medical Association’s Regulations in Times of Armed Conflict.

12 August 2011

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                       Geraldine Kurukchi                 02 6270 5467 / 0427 209 753

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