Int'l medical leaders condemn attacks on health personnel in Syria

GENEVA, Aug 17 (KUNA) -- leaders of the world's physicians and nursing associations on Wednesday have condemned the continuing violence against health personnel in Syria and other nations.
The persistent and targeted attacks on doctors, nurses, emergency medical personnel and other health workers in Syria have reached unprecedented levels that should alarm the world, the World Medical Association (WMA) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) said in a joint statement.
The two organizations confirmed their support of the UN resolution 2268 which calls for a cessation of hostilities in Syria, and a respect of ceasefire for sufficient periods for the provision of humanitarian aid.
They stated that, "We in the international health community have an obligation to speak out to urge world leaders to enforce an immediate truce to protect the hundreds of thousands of innocent victims caught up in this carnage." "The daily reports of violent incidents against health-care personnel, medical infrastructure and the wounded are sickening the world community. The killing of nurses and doctors has become appalling. The shocking truth is that doctors and nurses are being specifically targeted in this armed conflict in a way that is almost beyond belief," Chairman of the WMA Dr. Ardis Hoven said.
On his part, ICN's Chief Executive Officer Dr. Frances Hughes said "Respect for health services is one of the core values of international humanitarian law and the human right to health. The attacks on nurses, doctors and healthcare facilities in Syria and other nations in conflict must urgently stop, so they can continue to provide the care needed by their populations." ICN is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide.
Operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally, ICN works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.
WMA is the independent confederation of national medical associations from 112 countries and represents more than nine million physicians. Acting on behalf of patients and physicians, the WMA endeavors to achieve the highest possible standards of medical care, ethics, education and health-related human rights for all people.(end) ta.ag