Attacks on Health

Stop the violence. Protect health care.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015
In the last few months, a number of attacks against health workers, medical transports, and facilities have taken place in several countries, like Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen to mention a few. These incidents are taking place in countries with fragile health care systems that are already struggling to treat the numbers of people affected by the ongoing conflicts there. In some cases, the situation is made even worse by the restrictions placed on aid workers, preventing them from getting to the people who need them.

Mugging gone wrong?: Polio health worker attacked

Saturday, October 17, 2015
PESHAWAR: A health worker was assaulted and robbed on Saturday in Shagai Hindkyan village. Lady health visitor Shabana, who is actively engaged in polio vaccination campaigns, was attacked by two unidentified motorcyclists within the jurisdiction of Mathra police station. The assailants threatened to kill the health worker if she did not quit polio vaccinations and fled the scene.

Attacks on Health Facilities, Staff, Patients

Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Attacks on medical facilities, health workers, and patients have occurred in at least 17 countries undergoing conflict and civil unrest since January 2014, Human Rights Watch and the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition said in a joint report issued today. The report was released at the annual meeting of health ministers from around the world in Geneva from May 18-26, 2015. The 22-page report, “Attacks on Health: Global Report,” highlights recent attacks in countries around the world.

Syria's Civil War Forces Doctors to Choose the Rebels or the Regime

Thursday, December 19, 2013
Adnan Ismail worked as a doctor in a Syrian government hospital. But civil war led him to a farm field where he and friends labored nights in secret to build a makeshift rebel-run clinic. For a year, Dr. Ismail helped dig walls and stairs to fashion an underground bunker that was eventually equipped for surgery, he said. Dr. Adnan Ismail led a secret life tending to Syrian rebels and civilians hurt by government forces.

Over 85 Percent of Health Workers Exposed to Violence in Turkey: Survey

Tuesday, October 22, 2013
More than 85 percent of health workers in Turkey are subjected to violence at least once during their professional life, according to a recent survey conducted among the health workers by the health union, Sağlık-Sen. Health workers who have been exposed to violence at least once during their professional life made up 86.8 percent, with 81.4 percent of respondents saying they were exposed to violence last year, according to a Sağlık-Sen survey conducted among 1,300 health workers in 15 difference provinces across Turkey via face to face interviews.

Fear of Violence Slows Polio Immunization Drive in Kano

Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Fear and secrecy have cloaked the roll-out of a polio campaign currently underway in northern Nigeria. Vaccinators are concealing their identities, hiding vaccinations under their veils and visiting some areas only with undercover armed guards, following the February murder by Boko Haram of nine polio workers in the northern city of Kano.

Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition Condemns Abduction of Aid Workers in Syria

Monday, October 14, 2013
The Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition condemns the abduction of Red Cross and Red Crescent workers in Syria and demands the release of all who are held. Although four of the workers have been released, three others have not. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the individuals were traveling to assess medical facilities in the Idlib and to deliver medical supplies. They were in vehicles clearly marked with the ICRC emblem.

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