WHO calls for all possible measures to ensure the protection of medical personnel who work in the conflict zone
Last reviewed: 23.11.2021
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In connection with the spread of dangerous emergencies in the world (power operations, combat operations, natural disasters), their large-scale and frequency of occurrence, the World Health Organization called for stopping intimidation and violence against medical personnel while performing their duties in hazardous areas. Such attacks on health workers are regarded as a serious violation of basic human rights for health.
Every year on August 19, the World Day of Humanitarian Aid is celebrated around the world, and in this connection, the World Health Organization has focused on the fact that throughout the world, attacks continue on medical personnel, ambulance services, hospitals, particularly in Southern Sudan, Iraq, The Gaza Strip, Syria, Central Africa.
Given the outbreak of the epidemic of the Ebola virus in Africa, WHO expressed concern about the intimidation and harassment of physicians in West Africa. Physicians at risk for life are trying to help the victims, even despite the threats and contempt of some part of the public.
Dr Chan, the Director-General of WHO, noted that it is important to provide medical personnel with conditions free of intimidation and violence so that professionals, nurses and other workers can safely carry out their direct duties. The head of the Department of the World Health Organization on humanitarian methods of responding and coordinating risks in hazardous situations also stressed that attacks and threats to medical personnel prevent the receipt of necessary patient care, including preventive measures (vaccination).
The World Health Organization has a certain document that guarantees the human right to health, especially for people who are in dangerous regions (epidemics, fighting, etc.). All the consequences that develop after attacks on medical personnel are carefully documented, in particular in Syria, Gaza, South Sudan. Also, doctors working in dangerous regions, almost every day, face difficulties in performing their duties, not only in the zone where the fighting is conducted. In Nigeria and Pakistan, medical personnel are routinely attacked, mostly by women, who are making preventive vaccination against poliomyelitis.
The World Health Organization plays a leading role in managing the health response to dangerous situations that arise in the world. In this regard, the heads of WHO actively cooperate with their partners in documenting and preventing such incidents, as well as timely and adequate response to such cases.
The protection of that category of citizens who take care of the sick and needing help around the world at the risk of their own lives is a priority in the work of the international community.