Civilians in a War Zone

Abstract

Earlier this year, I attended a dramatic and moving talk at SMACC DUB (Social Media and Critical Care in Dublin) entitled “Oh s**t, they're bombing our hospital!” 1 http://www.smacc.net.au/speakers-abstract/kathleen-thomas/. Accessed June 11, 2016. Google Scholar by Kathleen Thomas. Dr. Thomas was working with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) as the intensive care unit/emergency department supervisor of the Kunduz Trauma Center in northern Afghanistan when US military forces mistakenly bombed the hospital. Her talk was not a narrative of the event as much as it was a passionate call to action to stop attacks on medical facilities in violation of the Geneva Conventions and other international humanitarian law. Dr. Thomas listed attacks in the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen that demonstrate a growing disregard for the rules of war. Attacks on hospitals and other traditional safe places may indicate a shift in the respect for, and adherence to, international humanitarian law. When we lose respect for the rule of law, we are left with anarchy. Compromising the sanctity of a medical facility results in a scenario in which whole populations are denied access to lifesaving medical care in areas of conflict. John R. Clark, JD, MBA, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C, CMTE, is a member of the board of directors for the Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification (BCCTPC) and legal advisor and member of the board of directors for the International Association of Flight and Critical Care Paramedics (IAFCCP).