Medical care in the firing line

The objective is to bring about real change on the ground, so that people can access the medical care they need without fear, whoever and wherever they are.  Syria 2013 © Brigitte Breuillac/MSFAn MSF team giving emergency care to a patient wounded in the ongoing Syrian crisis. The performance and behaviour of health workers themselves – staff involved in management, administration and transportation as well as diagnosis, prevention and treatment – is critical. Securing acceptance for their work from all communities and political and military groups is an essential prerequisite to being able to operate in sensitive and volatile contexts. This requires an unequivocal demonstration of respect for medical ethics and impartiality. And there are cases, for example in places in Afghanistan in which our organizations work, where medical facilities have been kept safe, and healthcare has been assured, despite a context of brutal violence. If we are to make sure these cases do not remain remarkable exceptions to the rule; if we are to foster responsibility for the protection of healthcare among all actors, we need a concerted, global effort. Symbols clearly indicating medical services, such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent, or the MSF insignia, must oblige respect and the protection of medical practice. When they are exploited, or ignored, no amounts of sandbags will offer protection to patients and health workers. The real challenge is to find ways to prevent such acts i...
Source: MSF News - Category: Global & Universal Tags: Opinion Frontpage NEWS Source Type: news