Doctors from various countries demand immediate end to wars and guarantee safety of healthcare facilities in war zones

INDIAN DOCTORS FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT (IDPD)

139-E, Kicthlu Nagar,
Ludhiana – 141001 Punjab
Email: idpd2001[at]hotmail.com

Date: 2.12. 2024

PRESS RELEASE

An international seminar was organised by the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) at New Delhi on 1st December 2024 to deliberate on "HEALTH AND HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE ON-GOING WARS - THE WAY FORWARD”.

Doctors from various affiliates of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) including Australia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and different states of India participated. They expressed serious concern at the increasing health and humanitarian crisis arising out of the on-going wars in different parts of the world. Subjects under discussion include, Increasing Nuclear dangers - a cause of concern, Possibilities of peace in Middle East, On-going wars & Global Repercussion and Global initiative for peace.

Various experts who delivered their talks include Qamar Agha- senior journalist, Maj. Gen. (Retd) Vinod Saighal, Prof Achin Vanaik - Retired Professor from Delhi University and Pallab Sen Gupta - President World Peace Council. Dr Asoka Hettiarachchi, President Sri Lankan Doctors for Peace and Development, Dr Ganesh Gurung - President Physicians for Social Responsibility Nepal, Dr S S Soodan - Patron IDPD, Dr Arun Mitra President IDPD, Dr Shakeel ur Rahman - General Secretary IDPD also addressed. Dr Ruth Michell from Australia and Chair of the Board of IPPNW said that the Nobel Laureates at a conference in Mexico in September ’24 have expressed serious concern at the increasing arms race which is fraught with escalation into nuclear danger. This would be catastrophic, she said. We have no medical remedy in that eventuality. The only answer is to raise a united voice for disarmament and complete abolition of nuclear weapons.

A declaration was passed after through discussion among the participants. They expressed anguish at the failure of the global community in preventing attacks on healthcare facilities and health workers. This is against all forms of internationally accepted conventions the declaration said. It demanded immediate steps to stop attack on health care facilities, health workers and innocent civilians, restoration of all types of humanitarian aid in war affected zones. The declaration also demanded immediate steps to plan building of infrastructure destroyed during these wars. It was felt that the UNO has to be strengthened and made democratic so as to make it effective to promote lasting peace. It also declared that the nuclear weapons possessing countries should join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) so as to respect the will of the global community and prevent any catastrophe from occurring.

The participants decided to expand the work and to hold similar events in other countries of south Asia and also in different states of India to spread the message further.

Dr Arun Mitra
President
IDPD

Dr Shakeel Ur Rahman
General Secretary IDPD