An easy start, an unforgettable bitterness

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Ali Ghorbaniazar, a 24-year-old medical student from Ardabil,Iran. 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 and medicine may be different, but they have many similarities. Only those who are involved in both can understand what it is like and what a fatal consequence a small mistake can have. Just like diseases, most of which have simple causes, wars are the same: from the assassination of a crown prince to applying for NATO membership, they can be different. War is a part of human life and has overshadowed many aspects of life, and the field of medicine is no exception. The effects it has on people’s health sometimes last for generations. 

The effects of war can be classified into two types: direct and indirect, short-term and permanent.

Direct effects occur on those who are present at the frontline of the conflict, but indirect effects occur on people far from the scene. These can be temporary or permanent. For example, the division of a country into several parts is a permanent effect (the Ottoman Empire), but the presence of occupiers is a temporary effect (such as the occupation of Ukraine by Russia).
The effects of war on the body are more visible. For example, high casualties and injuries to people by explosions, gunshots, and bombings cause amputations, burns, and severe injuries that last for years, which hurts the heart of every viewer. These are much more widespread if they are caused by banned weapons and mass killings, such as Saddam’s chemical attacks against the people of Iran or even the Assad regime’s use of it a few years ago.
Diseases caused by war and displacement that spread due to unsanitary conditions in refugee camps include cholera, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. In conditions of limited access to water and healthy food, they lead to vitamin deficiencies, a weakened immune system, and increased mortality.

Non-communicable diseases such as heart problems and cancers also increase in these conditions. These diseases occur as a result of exposure to chronic stress, chemical contamination, and nuclear radiation. In these conditions, mental illnesses such as depression, acute stress disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder give the person a greater sense of helplessness, which unfortunately sometimes ends in suicide. After all this, we encounter people who have lost their jobs, housing, and education, and some of them have turned to crime and made the situation worse.
Providing immediate assistance to war victims by establishing health camps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and nutritional support for vulnerable groups are measures that must be taken immediately so that the situation does not get out of control. In the future, the effects of these events can be reduced by supporting the mental health of survivors, rebuilding health infrastructure, providing educational opportunities for those who have been left out of education, and creating employment programs.

War and love are both similar: they have an easy start and unforgettable bitterness.
Hoping for a world without war.

About the author

Ali Ghorbaniazar is a 24-year-old medical student from Ardabil,Iran. He is currently studying at the Faculty of Medicine (MPF1) of Azerbaijan University of Medical Sciences (AMU). He has been working as an active member and program coordinator in the SCOME Azerbaijan Committee since the beginning of this year. In addition to his studies, he is interested in martial arts and has a history of championships.