Traces of War: Health and Displacement

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Gulay Novruzova, a 20-year-old medical student from Lachin, Azerbaijan. She 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.

Wars and conflicts cause serious issues not only for societies and economies but also for public health. These problems can be immediate but often have long-lasting effects. A clear example of this is Azerbaijan, which has recently experienced war. The country’s war experience and related displacement issues have caused significant challenges in the healthcare system. These challenges can also be seen in other countries affected by conflict.

Some of the health problems caused by war and conflict include:

• Physical Injuries and Death: Wars lead to thousands of deaths and injuries. During conflicts, hospitals and medical centers may be damaged, making it difficult to provide timely care to the injured.
  
• Psychological Health Issues: War and displacement have a major impact on mental health. Many people experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Those who are forced to leave their homes and live in refugee camps face ongoing stress and uncertainty. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, and the mental health effects can last for many years.
  
• Displacement and Access to Healthcare: Many people are forced to leave their homes due to war, leading to large humanitarian crises. Life in refugee camps is difficult, with shortages of water, food, and sanitation. These conditions lead to the spread of diseases. People also face difficulties in accessing medical care and medications, and the distance from schools and healthcare services makes their health problems even worse.
  
• Hunger and Malnutrition: In conflict zones, agricultural production stops, supply chains break down, and markets collapse, leading to food shortages. This results in severe malnutrition, especially among children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Chronic malnutrition can cause growth delays, weakened immune systems, and higher death rates.
  
• Healthcare System Collapse and Staff Shortages: During wars, hospitals and clinics can be destroyed, and many healthcare workers leave the area due to safety concerns. This results in a shortage of medical professionals and resources, making it difficult to care for the population. Healthcare workers who stay are often overwhelmed by the workload and face challenges providing adequate treatment due to a lack of resources.
  

In countries like Azerbaijan, where war has had a major impact, health problems extend beyond physical injuries. These problems also include psychological trauma, the spread of diseases, food shortages, and a lack of medical services. After the Karabakh conflict, thousands of people in Azerbaijan needed both physical and psychological support. Poor living conditions in refugee camps and limited healthcare resources have led to long-term health issues. However, with the support of international organizations and government efforts, important steps have been taken to address these challenges. Strengthening the healthcare system and improving access to medical services are crucial steps to preventing health crises in the future.

“In times of war, the most valuable thing is life, but to protect it, we need a strong healthcare system.” – Winston Churchill

About the author

Gulay Novruzova is a 20-year-old medical student from Lachin, Azerbaijan. She is currently studying in the 4th year of the Faculty of General Medicine 1 at the Azerbaijan Medical University. Since the beginning of her university studies, she has been involved in AzerMDS IFMSA Azerbaijan and is currently serving as the National Officer on Medical Education. She is also the president of the Student Union of her faculty at the university.