Ban calls for protection of medical workers, facilities

NEW YORK, Sept 28 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called late Wednesday for the protection of medical workers, facilities and transport.
In an open debate held at the Security Council on healthcare in armed conflicts, the UN Chief said those in Syria are using even more destructive weapons, and are committing war crimes.
As there were reports of airstrikes on two more hospitals in Aleppo earlier this morning, Ban told the Council members "imagine a slaughterhouse. This is worse. Even a slaughterhouse is more humane." Praising the role played by the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the International President of Medecins Sans Frontiers, the Secretary General said hospitals, clinics, ambulances and medical staff in Aleppo are under attack around the clock. He called for immediate action and accountability.
International law is clear, he added, medical workers, facilities and transport must be protected. The wounded and sick, civilians and fighters alike, must be spared, he told the Council, and stressed that deliberate attacks on hospitals are war crimes. "Denying people access to essential health care violates international humanitarian law," he added.
Ban urged the 15-member body to overcome its divisions and meet its responsibilities in Syria and around the world.
As two hospitals in eastern Aleppo were severely damaged last night during the ongoing, indiscriminate bombing of the city and have been forced to halt all activities.
Doctors Without Borders International President Dr. Joanne Liu told the Council that the conduct of war today knows no limits. "The unrelenting assault on Aleppo by Russian and Syrian forces over recent days - with no evacuations possible, and bodies lying unburied - testifies to that," she added.
In Syria, she said, the government and its allies relentlessly... deliberately attack hospitals, doctors, first responders, and patients. Doctors in Aleppo reported to them that the remaining intensive care wards are completely full, and people are being taken off life support so that the multitude of wounded can be treated.
To reverse this devastating trend, Liu urged the Security Council members must live up to the obligations and responsibilities bestowed upon them, the obligations and responsibilities that civilians in war, patients, and their medical colleagues need them to uphold. (end) mao.hb