Al Jazeera Centre for Studies is hosting a research seminar entitled, “The Impact of Armed Conflict on Health and Healthcare Access”, as part of the 17th World Conference of Bioethics, on Thursday, 6 June 2024, at Al Mayassa Hall in the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha.
The importance of this issue has grown exponentially in light of the ongoing Israeli war against the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023. This conflict has severely crippled the healthcare sector, leading to the closure of most hospitals and healthcare facilities. Such circumstances underscore the manifold effects of wars and armed conflicts, which permeate all aspects of political, social and economic life, as well as educational systems and healthcare services.
The trajectories of wars and armed conflicts reveal that their destructive impacts go beyond health and access to healthcare services for the treatment of physical, psychological, and disability-related injuries; they encompass a spectrum of risk factors, as deliberate attacks and bombings targeting healthcare facilities, treating them as military objectives, disrupt the regular operation of healthcare systems and diminish the capacity of healthcare facilities and workers to provide adequate services. Moreover, restricting access to therapeutic and preventive services during times of war exposes civilians to a diverse array of risks, both in the short and long term.
The objective of this seminar is to delve into both the direct and indirect impacts of wars and armed conflicts on health and healthcare access. The discussion will centre on analysing these ramifications within the context of the Israeli war on Gaza since 7 October.