EMOs statement on violence against and burnout among doctors and other healthcare professionals in the context of war

The right to health is a fundamental pillar of human rights. It remains applicable in all circumstances and doctors have an ethical duty to ensure they treat the injured and sick.

European Medical Organisations (EMOs) reaffirm that physicians’ safety at work is paramount for the provision of quality healthcare. They are deeply concerned about the risk and the negative impact of violence against all healthcare professionals and observe that doctors and other healthcare professionals, working in healthcare institutions are increasingly confronted with situations of violence in their daily practice.

Further, clearly, in situations of war, the violence against healthcare professionals can take still another dimension and the protection of the endangered healthcare professionals is essential too.

This alarming trend goes against human rights, humanity, and medical ethics. It may hinder or prevent the provision of care that must be guaranteed and protected as effectively as possible.

We believe that there is a need for concrete urgent actions to be taken to protect European doctors and other healthcare professionals from all forms of violence that occur during daily medical practice, be it physical, verbal, or psychological – including institutional violence that knowingly contributes to burnout.

EMOs also call, in situations of war, to respect and comply with the Geneva Conventions and their additional Protocols, in line with the WMA Statement on the Protection of Medical Personnel in Armed Conflicts and Other Situations of Violence.

We reaffirm the need of an effective reporting and assisting mechanism for victims of violence against all healthcare personnel across Europe, for the implementation of violence prevention programmes and for the enforcement of existing laws concerning violence against all healthcare professionals in the workplace.

We also recommend promoting the training and coaching of physicians on how to deal with verbal, physical or psychological violence and the possible basis of burnout. These actions should be supported by permanent displays in the healthcare facilities indicating that violence is not tolerable and informing about existing solutions and penalties.

We wish to act collectively with different international organizations to defend and protect the right to work in a safe and secure workplace free of violence.

Download the EMOs statement on violence/burnout against doctors and all healthcare professionals in a war context 

European Medical Organisations call on EU and Member States to coordinate humanitarian aid

On the morning of the 24th of February the world woke up to unsettling news coming from Ukraine, which was under a sudden invasion by the Russian Armed Forces.

Actions need to be taken by other European member states to aid the Ukrainian people and prevent further loss of lives. 137 Ukrainians have been estimated to have died due to these actions and 316 people have been wounded since the invasion commenced, in addition to Russian troop casualties . Military bases as well as apartment buildings and hospitals have been attacked. Four people were killed and ten injured due to a shell hitting a hospital in eastern Ukraine, the protection of hospitals under international law being ignored in this attack. The Geneva Conventions, to which both countries are party to, specifically state that the safety of healthcare professionals and facilities needs to be upheld.

As organisations representing medical students and medical professionals, we call upon the European Union to coordinate a joint response regarding the immeasurable number of people seeking refuge, in order to ensure efficient management of the situation, based on the European values of democracy, solidarity and the rule of law.

We call on European Member States to cooperate with the Ukrainian government to facilitate the relocation of citizens in an organised manner. We would like to underline the fact that foreign citizens residing in Ukraine cannot be forgotten or neglected, some of whom do not have the opportunity to return to their home countries because they are also in the midst of conflict, thus requiring visas to be waived to enter another country. Asylum must be granted to as many refugees and vulnerable groups as possible.

European Member States must facilitate the integration of refugees and asylum seekers in all aspects. Special care should be given to accommodation conditions that are prepared with respect to human rights, as well as to the provision of educational opportunities, language courses and other methods to promote the integration into societies of the country they will be residing in.

We call on NGOs and human rights organisations to cooperate with European Member States to deliver humanitarian aid to those who need it.

We call on European Organisations to offer mental health resources to whoever might be affected by this situation, whether it be through webinars or by facilitating the access to therapy sessions and psychological aid. We also call on European Organisations to invest in financial resources to aid refugees and asylum seekers in relocating and medical students in maintaining their education in other countries.

All governments should work together to ensure safe travel routes for people leaving the countries. The European Union and national border authorities, along with other relevant agencies, must handle any influx of refugees with the utmost respect for international law, human life and dignity. National governments and relevant organisations must ensure the provision of translators at borders and points of interface. Resources must be distributed equitably, allowing for countries to receive adequate support ensuring effective handling of the situation on all fronts. We call upon countries in stronger economic positions to provide assistance in the form of resources to countries unable to adequately support an expected increase in capacity due to this humanitarian crisis.

Additionally, a collaborative, cross-sectoral and cross-border effort is essential to uphold medical treatment of acute and chronic diseases during this time.

We call on European citizens to donate to organisations delivering humanitarian aid, such as the Red Cross. We call upon anyone with the means to open up their house to refugees and asylum seekers to do so and be available with the integration of refugees and asylum seekers in their cities and countries.

We call on our members and fellow healthcare students and professionals to lead by example through providing aid and assistance, while calling on national and international authorities to take appropriate action, in line with humanitarian law and human decency.

75 Years have passed since peace treaties after the Second World War were signed in Paris. What we are experiencing right now is a threat to freedom and to the values that we hold so dearly. Humanitarian crises should concern every individual and government around the world. Many events are unfortunately following shortly one after another around the globe, including wars and environmental catastrophes and every event that accounts for the unjust loss of human lives must be addressed equally.

As residents and citizens of Europe, we cannot understate our grief and disappointment regarding the emerging situation and at the thought of the burden it will bring on human and environmental wellbeing. We are sad to see this regression to a time of bitter division instead of solidarity, and reiterate our call for the cessation of hostilities on our continent and the planet.

As health professionals of tomorrow, we believe that life and dignity always have to be protected and their value preserved, no matter what the surrounding political circumstances are. We recognise the importance of alleviating not only human pain and disease, but also the determinants that cause them.

Find the full press relealse here : European Medical Organisations call on EU and Member States to coordinate humanitarian aid.