The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing to launch a campaign aimed at honouring the sacrifices and efforts of thousands of international health workers deployed to the frontlines of the world\u2019s most pressing crises, the United Nations agency has announced.<\/p>\n
The online campaign \u2013 to be known by its social-media friendly moniker #ThanksHealthHero \u2013 will seek to draw attention to the growing threats faced by health workers and the need for intensified action to protect them ahead of next week\u2019s World Humanitarian Day to be observed by the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system on 19 August.<\/p>\n
In a press release, WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan noted that the agency remains committed to saving lives and reducing suffering in times of crisis despite an uptick in targeted attacks against health workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAttacks against health care workers and facilities are flagrant violations of international humanitarian law,\u201d Dr. Chan declared. \u201cHealth workers have an obligation to treat the sick and injured without discrimination. All parties to conflict must respect that obligation.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the WHO, in 2014 alone there were 372 attacks in 32 countries on health staff, resulting in 603 deaths and 958 injuries, while similar incidents have been recorded this year.<\/p>\n
Ongoing attacks on health facilities have also been increasingly reported, the agency added. In Yemen alone, 190 health facilities are non-functional and another 183 partly functional as result of the ongoing conflict, including 26 health facilities that have been attacked since May 2015.<\/p>\n
Similarly, in Iraq, more than 180 front line health services in 10 governorates have been suspended, leaving millions of refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities without access to health care.<\/p>\n
The WHO\u2019s latest campaign will now seek to draw attention to the health workers\u2019 plight and solicit messages of thanks from around the world via social media.<\/p>\n