Last week, Dr Majdi Sabahelzain, one of our SABII team, participated in a panel discussion on Delivering Healthcare and Protecting Civilians in Conflict Zones. Other panellists included Professor Catherine Renshaw, Dean of Law, Western Sydney University, Mr Jagan Chapagain, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Professor Emily Crawford, Professor, Sydney Law School. The University of Sydney. The discussion was moderated by Dr Megan Cox, Senior Lecturer at SSPH.
The discussion explored the ethical and practical challenges faced by healthcare workers in delivering impartial care amidst large-scale displacement, conflicts involving non-state actors, and protracted crises. It also highlighted the alarming frequency of human rights violations, particularly the attacks on health facilities and healthcare workers, and emphasised the need to abide by the international humanitarian law (IHL) in protecting not only civilians and healthcare providers but also wounded and sick combatants.
Dr. Majdi Sabahelzain highlighted the inequities in media coverage of crises, particularly in protracted conflicts and civil wars in countries that hold low geopolitical importance for donors. Mr Jagan Chapagain discussed further how this disparity affects global attention and results in insufficient support and resource allocation for crises in underreported regions.
The event was part of the annual Sydney Peace Prize, awarded this year to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The event was hosted by the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health, in partnership with Sydney Peace Foundation, Sydney Law School, and Western Sydney University, with guests from the Western Sydney Local Health District and International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Professor Catherine Renshaw, Dr Megan Cox (moderator)
