Health Care in Danger
Health Care Responsibilities in Times of Conflict
In October 2014, the ICRC launched a new e-learning course on health care responsibilities in times of conflict and other emergencies. This module is specifically designed to help health-care personnel understand the effects of violence on health care, their own rights and responsibilities and ethical dilemmas they may face in situations of violence. “This e-learning module is an essential tool bringing clarity to all and will empower physicians worldwide,” said Dr. Xavier Deau, President of the World Medical Association. “It will enable them to understand their rights and responsibilities and ethical obligations in situations of emergency. The WMA warmly welcomes this ICRC initiative.” Read the press release.
In October 2015, the WMA General Assembly adopted the Toolkit for Doctors Working in Situation of Violence as a contribution to the Health Care in Danger Initiative of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
In June 2017, the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva, working with the International Committee of the Red Cross’s Health Care in Danger project, has devised a massive open online course (MOOC), which is free and available to all. Through its six chapters, learners are called upon to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of health workers, the legal framework that protects health care, the professions involved in pre-hospital emergency services, the role of hospitals, military medicine and, finally, the potential role of civil society, particularly the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.