December 18, 2014
Recently, a landmark United Nations General Assembly resolution was passed calling for the protection of health workers from violence. This is the first time the UN General Assembly has addressed attacks on health workers, facilities and patients.
The resolution urges states to take immediate steps to ensure health workers in all countries are protected from violence, whether in armed conflict or in times of peace.
According to the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, of which IFHHRO is a member, “the power of this UN resolution lies in its recognition that attacks against health impede not only health service delivery in the short term, but lead to long-term chronic health workforce shortages and weakened public health systems. It is a game-changing tool advocates can now use to urge States, international bodies, and other actors to recognize the protection of health workers as a central and indispensable global health priority.”
More information (website Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition)