Healthcare hit by almost 600 attacks in 2014-2015: WHO

A report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Thursday revealed that 594 attacks on healthcare in 19 countries were documented over the 2014-2015 period.

"Every attack on healthcare disrupts the delivery of health services and denies communities access to essential health services in emergencies at the time when they need them most," said Rick Brennan, Director of WHO's Department of Emergency Risk Management and Humanitarian Response.

"Perhaps one of the most concerning findings of the report is that close to two thirds of the attacks on health facilities, health workers, ambulances and patients have been deliberate," he added.

With 228 attacks, the Syrian Arab Republic incurred the most incidents in the period under review.

The West Bank and Gaza Strip followed (53 attacks), while both Iraq and Pakistan recorded 43 incidents each.

Figures show that a total of 959 deaths were reported in the two-year period as a result of attacks on people, infrastructure, vehicles and other health-related items.

With most of the attacks taking place in conflict settings, Brennan reminded that the Geneva conventions should be respected by warring factions at all times.

According to data, 53 percent of the attacks were carried out by state actors, 30 percent by non-state actors, and 17 percent by perpetrators who have yet to be identified.

"One of the most important rules of war is that you don't attack healthcare providers, the sick and the disabled. These attacks represent gross violations of international humanitarian law," Brennan warned. Endit