S-1998-02-1998_OVE

L’ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE, INC ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL. INC
THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. INC.
B. P. 63 • 01212 FERNEY·VOLTAIRE Cedex, France
28. avenue des Alpes· 01210 FERNEY.VOLTAIRE, France
Telephone: 0450407575
Fax : 04 50 40 59 37
October 1998
Cable Address:
WOMEDAS, Ferney-Voltaire
E-mail address : wma@iprolinkJr
20.8/98
Original: French/English
WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION
ON
MEDICAL CARE FOR REFUGEES
Adopted by the 50th
WMA General Assembly
Ottawa, Canada, October 1998
, . r ..1 _
WHEREAS: Recent international and civil conflicts have resulted in a steady increase of the
number ofrefugees in all regions; and
WHEREAS: International codes of human rights and medical ethics, including the WMA
Declaration of Lisbon, declare that all people are entitled without discrimination to
appropriate medical care;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. Physicians have a duty to provide appropriate medical care regardless ofthe civil status of
the patient, and governments should not deny patients the right to receive, nor should they
interfere with physicians’ obligation to administer, adequate treatment; and
2. Physicians can not be compelled to participate in any punitive or judicial action involving
refugees or to administer any non-medically justified diagnostic measure or treatment,
such as sedatives to facilitate easy deportation from the country; and
3. Physicians must be allowed adequate time and sufficient resources to assess the physical
and psychological condition ofrefugees who are seeking asylum.
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