The role of the doctor is to protect, serve, and speak up for life. Gaza conflict resulted in loss of some1800 human lives particularly children. Gaza- a crowded land in which children are the largest (45%) single group of the population. During conflict situations there is the extreme risk to civilians if countries do not follow very strictly the Principles of Distinction, Precaution, and Proportionality. The children, women, and men of Gaza have had no protection from shelling. 1·8 million people have reduced or no access to safe water. Epidemics of lice and scabies have broken out in shelters. International Humanitarian Law requires three principles to be upheld during such a defence. The Principle of Distinction states that, “parties to the conflict shall at all times distinguish between the civilian population and combatants”. The Principle of Precautions in Attack states that, “parties to the conflict must take all feasible precautions to protect the civilian population and civilian objects under their control against the effects of attacks”. The Principle of Proportionality states that, “Launching an attack which may be expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian objects, or a combination thereof, which would be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated, is prohibited”. Healthcare Professionals have a responsibility to give a voice to those who have no voice; and to invite society to address the actions and injustices that have led to this conflict. The effort of medical profession should be to minimise/prevent the effects of this war on civilian health.
Interesting Paper in the American Journal of Public Health, June 2014, Vol 104, No. 6:http://scientistsascitizens.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Wiist-paper-AJPH.2013.pdf
Medical profession need to spread awareness amongst civilians, must be fully equipped comprising of expertise and medicines etc., and be prepared to fight such emergencies, and during such emergency need to extend medical facilities extensively with help of NGOs. Full medical ethics need to be followed. These need to also be trained for countering emergency situations. Apart from this veterinarians must also play vital role for safeguarding health of companion animals, since they cannot speak or raise their voices publically.
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