Doctors on the frontier – ensuring safety of medical workers in armed conflicts

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Stathis Pavlidis, a medical student in the preclinical years at the University of Ioannina. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

War. A word that has dominated the headlines of newspapers with particular intensity in recent years. From the war in Ukraine to the crisis in the Middle East, doctors and healthcare personnel remain on the front lines, providing vital assistance to civilians and the wounded. Although their presence is protected by international treaties, reality often disappoints, with medical facilities becoming targets of attacks and the lives of medical personnel at risk. This raises the question: How can we safeguard the safety of healthcare professionals in conflict zones?

Before we search for a solution, we must identify the problem itself, namely, the challenges faced by healthcare workers. A primary scourge is the disregard for international law and the conventions that protect it. The Red Cross and Red Crescent are the greatest shields on the battlefield, and attacking those bearing these emblems constitutes a war crime, as defined by the Geneva Convention. However, in countries like Syria, Sudan, and Ukraine, over 2,300 attacks on healthcare facilities were recorded in 2023 alone, while incidents of violence, destruction of medical structures, and intimidation of doctors continue to be reported in other regions worldwide, according to reports by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations.

The disregard for international protection emblems is one aspect of the problem. Equally problematic is the deceptive use of these emblems, which also constitutes a war crime. A fundamental solution to these issues would be the strict enforcement of international humanitarian law (IHL) and the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit targeting medical facilities. The UN and organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) work to educate and sensitize warring parties about their rights and obligations, aiming to ensure their compliance with international rules.

However, when prevention does not yield the desired results, violators of international rules must be punished. International accountability through bodies like the International Criminal Court (ICC), where serious violations are reported, restores legality and justice, even if only retroactively. Humanitarian organizations can play a significant role in advocating for international cooperation to improve access to medical services in high-risk zones. The WHO and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) often develop protocols and training for personnel to recognize and respond to risks, thereby reducing incidents of violence against healthcare workers. The utilization of technological measures, such as satellite image analysis, helps record and prevent attacks on healthcare facilities.

Only a few days have passed since the Israeli law banning the UN from providing care to those affected along the Gaza Strip. Incidents like this drive the global community into a deadlock and confirm that the superhuman efforts of healthcare workers go unrecognized. The efforts of people who share the front line with every soldier, people ready to give even their lives to save the life of an unknown fellow human. Every conflict requires at least two parties. But the beginning of the end of the conflict can start with just one… 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9005878

https://conflictandhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13031-019-0186-0

https://conflictandhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13031-019-0186-0

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3611028

https://pmnch.who.int/news-and-events/news/item/09-09-2024-when-is-enough-enough-humanitarian-rights-and-protection-for-children-in-conflict-settings-must-be-revisited

https://reliefweb.int/report/world/protection-civilians-armed-conflict-report-secretary-general-s2024385-enarfrrueszh

About the author

Stathis (short for Efstathios) is a medical student in the preclinical years at the University of Ioannina. He is deeply fascinated by medical science and keeps himself informed about the latest developments in the field. In his free time, he is committed to fitness, learning foreign languages, and participating in volunteer activities.