Health Rights.am

WMA Resolution on Medical Care for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (1998, 2008)

World Medical Association Resolution on Medical Care for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons was adopted by the 50th World Medical Assembly Ottawa, Canada, October 1998 and reaffirmed by the WMA General Assembly, Seoul, Korea, October 2008.

WHEREAS: International and civil conflicts result in large numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in all regions; and

WHEREAS: International codes of human rights and medical ethics, including the WMA Declaration of Lisbon on the Rights of the Patient, declare that all people are entitled without discrimination to appropriate medical care;

    • Physicians have a duty to provide appropriate medical care regardless of the civil or political 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

    • Physicians cannot be compelled to participate in any punitive or judicial action involving refugees or IDPs or to administer any non-medically justified diagnostic measure or treatment, such as sedatives to facilitate easy deportation from the country or relocation; and

    • Physicians must be allowed adequate time and sufficient resources to assess the physical and psychological condition of refugees who are seeking asylum.