Declaration by the Health Care in Danger Community of Concern about the current situation of violence against health care

Global organisations join their voices in call  for protection of healthcare workers from violence

Healthcare workers save lives: The safety and protection of health care workers and health care infrastructure is paramount during this pandemic. To drive home this message a community of concern representing 13 medical and humanitarian global organizations representing more than 30 million healthcare professionals have issued a declaration condemning increasing incidents of attacks against health workers and facilities.

The community, spanning advocates from more than 120 countries, point to the over 200 incidents of COVID19 related attacks – a trend that endangers these vital frontline responders and the communities they serve.

Ensuring that healthcare workers are safe and able to carry out their jobs is crucial for their protection and indeed to ensure the continuing care of and save the lives of people affected by the disease. Health care workers are per definition exposed to the virus in their lifesaving activity and they should not be stigmatized for this.

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First, we would like to express our heartfelt support for all the health workers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for those working tirelessly in so many other areas of health care as well. Health-care workers and facilities and medical vehicles should never be a target of violence, and we urge governments, communities and weapon bearers to respect and protect health care at all times, and to contribute to creating a protective environment in which health care can be provided safely

Unfortunately, the sad reality is that health workers have for a long time been subject to many shocking forms of violence. The recent displays of public support for COVID-19 responders are heart‑warming, but many responders are nevertheless experiencing harassment, stigmatization and physical violence. Some health-care professionals and the people they were caring for have even been killed. At least 208 reports of such incidents have emerged since the beginning of the pandemic, and each day brings new stories of intimidation and harm.

Violence against health care must not be tolerated. We stand firmly against it, and are working as a global community to build a world where health workers and patients are safe and respected. We call on everyone reading this message to join with us and protect health care from violence. And not only individuals: we call on all governments to act against misinformation and to ensure that health care is protected by domestic law, that all health-care professionals have a safe working environment, and that mental health support is offered not only to victims of violence, but also to those working under increased levels of stress.

Signatories:

Robert Mardini, Director General, International Committee of the Red Cross

Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Christina Wille, Director, Insecurity Insight

Major General Geert Laire Secretary-General, International Committee of Military Medicine

Annette Kennedy President, International Council of Nurses

Eric de Roodenbeke, C.E.O., International Hospital Federation

Tammy Yu, Liason Officer for Human Rights and Peace Issues, International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations

Philippe de Botton, President, Médecins du Monde

Donna McKay, Executive Director, Physicians for Human Rights

Leonard Rubenstein, Chair, Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition

Emma K. Stokes, President, World Confederation for Physical Therapy

David Gordon, President, World Federation of Medical Education

Frank Ulrich Montgomery, Chair of the Council, World Medical Association

Link to www.icrc.org