Media release
Neutrality of health workers must be respected
The AMA is calling on national governments and non-state combatants to adhere to international laws regarding the neutrality of medical staff and health facilities after the bombing of a Syrian Hospital.
The al-Quds hospital in Aleppo, Syria, was destroyed by airstrikes earlier this week. The hospital was supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). At least 14 patients and staff members were killed, incl=uding one of the city’s last paediatricians.
AMA Vice President, Dr Stephen Parnis, today condemned all attacks on doctors, health care staff, medical facilities, and patients.
“It is unacceptable that health personnel and facilities are ever regarded as legitimate targets,” Dr Parnis said.
“It is the duty of the international health community to speak out and protect the non-discriminatory provision of health care to all those in need.”
“Doctors must never be prosecuted or punished, killed or injured, for fulfilling their ethical obligations to provide care.
“Medical ethics in times of conflict are identical to medical ethics in times of peace.
“Doctors must always give someone necessary care impartially and without discrimination.”
Since January, media reports indicate there have been at least seven MSF supported clinical and hospitals bombed in Syria.
Dr Parnis said it was imperative that governments and armed combatants:
Health care workers and health-related facilities have been increasingly under attack world-wide in recent years.
According to the IRC more than 4200 health workers were killed, beaten, tortured, or shot in 2398 incidents in just 11 countries between 2012 and 2014.
Last year there were several high profile attacks including a devastating US bombing raid on a MSF hospital in Afghanistan in which 30 people were killed, including 13 doctors and other health workers.
29 April 2016
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Kirsty Waterford 02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753
AMA Vice President, Dr Stephen Parnis, today condemned all attacks on doctors, health care staff, medical facilities, and patients.
“It is unacceptable that health personnel and facilities are ever regarded as legitimate targets,” Dr Parnis said.
“It is the duty of the international health community to speak out and protect the non-discriminatory provision of health care to all those in need.”
“Doctors must never be prosecuted or punished, killed or injured, for fulfilling their ethical obligations to provide care.
“Medical ethics in times of conflict are identical to medical ethics in times of peace.
“Doctors must always give someone necessary care impartially and without discrimination.”
Since January, media reports indicate there have been at least seven MSF supported clinical and hospitals bombed in Syria.
Dr Parnis said it was imperative that governments and armed combatants:
- respect medical neutrality and the duty of doctors to care for the sick and injured, impartially and without discrimination;
- allow health workers to attend the sick and injured freely, independently and in accordance with the ethical principles of their profession, without fear of punishment, imprisonment, prosecution or intimidation;
- ensure the safety, independence and personal security of health workers at all times; and
- protect medical facilities and transports, and ensure that people have safe, unimpeded access to care.
Health care workers and health-related facilities have been increasingly under attack world-wide in recent years.
According to the IRC more than 4200 health workers were killed, beaten, tortured, or shot in 2398 incidents in just 11 countries between 2012 and 2014.
Last year there were several high profile attacks including a devastating US bombing raid on a MSF hospital in Afghanistan in which 30 people were killed, including 13 doctors and other health workers.
29 April 2016
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Kirsty Waterford 02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753
Follow the AMA Media on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ama_media
Follow the AMA President on Twitter: http://twitter.com/amapresident
Follow Australian Medicine on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amaausmed
Like the AMA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AustralianMedicalAssociation
Follow the AMA President on Twitter: http://twitter.com/amapresident
Follow Australian Medicine on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amaausmed
Like the AMA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AustralianMedicalAssociation