The AMA wrote to the PM following the WMA General Assembly in Finland last month.
Last week we wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to update him on recent developments at the World Medical Association's (WMA) General Assembly regarding the importance of medical neutrality in conflict zones and the protection of healthcare workers, specifically in relation to the ongoing health and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
This follows a letter to the Prime Minister in May drawing attention to the WMA Council Resolution on the Protection of Healthcare in Israel and Gaza, which was passed by the WMA's leadership group (including the AMA) at their Council session in in April.
At the WMA's recent General Assembly in Finland, the AMA along with delegations from the 114 National Medical Association member countries, the officers and members of the Council of the WMA, and representatives of the Associate Members, voted unanimously in favour of the council resolution, approving the World Medical Association Resolution on the Protection of Healthcare in Israel and Gaza
In our letter to the Prime Minister last week we strongly urged the Australian Government to support the recommendations from the resolution which are as follows:
PREAMBLE
In response to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, the WMA is gravely concerned by the deepening healthcare and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the growing starvation and the lack of medical care and deeply concerned about the continued imprisonment and abuse of hostages.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The WMA Council and its constituent members call for:
1. A bilateral, negotiated and sustainable ceasefire in order to protect all civilian life, secure the release and safe passage of all hostages and to allow the transfer of humanitarian aid for all those in need.
2. The immediate and safe release of all hostages.
3. Pending their release, humanitarian aid and healthcare attention to be provided to the hostages.
4. All parties to abide by international humanitarian law and the principle of medical neutrality to safeguard the rights and protection of healthcare facilities, healthcare personnel and patients from further threat, interference and attack.
5. Unimpeded and accelerated humanitarian access throughout all of Gaza, including the entry of humanitarian aid and safe passage of medical personnel. This also includes the evacuation of urgent medical cases to reduce secondary morbidity and mortality, public health risks, and alleviate pressure on hospitals inside Gaza.
6. The re-establishment of access to healthcare and the creation of a safe working environment for healthcare personnel to work in through the restoration of medical capacity and essential services.
7. Verified investigations into alleged gross violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law including attacks on healthcare staff and facilities and the misuse of those facilities for military purposes.
8. The upholding by physicians of the principles in the WMA Declaration of Geneva and other documents that serve as guidance for medical personnel during times of conflict.
The recommendations are the latest in a series of policies adopted by the WMA (and supported by the AMA ) to raise awareness of the importance of medical neutrality in conflict zones and the protection of healthcare workers, specifically in relation to the ongoing health and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The AMA continues to commend all healthcare personnel on the frontline in conflicts around the world who are risking their own lives to provide care to all those who require it.
The AMA understands conflicts cause great distress amongst healthcare workers in Australia and around the world.
Australian doctors who are experiencing distress can contact Doctors4Doctors for support by visiting www.drs4drs.com.au .
