 | A volunteer medical team removes the last of the dead Iraqi fighters under the watch of US marines in Baghdad, 12 April 2003. More than 40 fighters and civilians were killed during the battles with American soldiers for control of the area near the Al Rasheed Hotel before the war was declared over.
Credit: KAEL ALFORD / PANOS PICTURES Impacts of WarWar is a major challenge to the health of populations and to health systems. The direct violence of warfare has an immediate impact on physical and mental health and is measured in casualties and injuries. But this accounts for only a small proportion of the total suffering. The psychosocial impact on a civilian population has disproportionate effects on the poor and vulnerable, mitigates capacity to recover and can contribute long-term to a nation's slide into poverty. In many cases it sets up a cycle of violence that continues through generations. Medact's concern about these issues led to it becoming an implementing partner in the Unicef Psychosocial Programme in former Yugoslavia, and examining the health impacts of war on Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. You can find more information on the Impacts of War by visiting the archive. |
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Explosive Violence - the problem of explosive weapons
Medact has collaborated with Landmine Action on a new report: Explosive Violence - the Problem of Explosive Weapons which challenges the continued acceptance of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas as a normal part of armed conflict. The report shows how the use of these weapons in populated areas, whether by governments or non-state actors. consistently causes unacceptable civilian suffering.
  28/09/2009
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Civilian death toll in Afghanistan
Medact has written to Bob Ainsworth the Secretary of State for Defence requesting information as to how civilian deaths are being estimated during operations in Afghanistan. The recent civilian deaths as a result of the attacks on oil tankers near Kunduz only emphasize the dangers for civilians. We need more people to ask these questions - please click here to see these letters and write either to your MP or to the Secretary of State. Please let us know if you receive any reply.
 14/09/2009
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Three doctors detained in Sri Lanka
Please write to the Minister of Health in Sri Lanka (who is also the President of the 62nd World Health Assembly) in support of three medical doctors who - having selflessly treated the sick and wounded in the conflict zone in terrible circumstances in recent weeks - are now being held in detention.
Medact is also in contact with the Sri Lankan Medical Association about their case.
For an example letter please click here.
20/05/2009
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Enduring War & Health Inequality in Sri Lanka
'Enduring War and Health Inequality in Sri Lanka' is a report from the Tamil Information Centre co-authored by Medact member Dr Suppiah Ratneswaren. It was launched on April 23rd at a conference ‘Health in the Firing Line’ at the Wellcome Auditorium. The speakers examined the direct and indirect burden on health caused by over 20 years of civil war in Sri Lanka and the present humanitarian crisis in Vanni.
24/04/2009
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IPPNW statement on the use of White Phosphorus
The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War have released a statement, signed by their three Co-Presidents, expressing grave concern about the recent use of white phosphorus in Gaza by Israeli forces, and strongly condemning its use in armed conflict under any circumstances.
19/03/2009
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Escalating health emergency in Gaza
Medact has co-signed letters to the press calling for an immediate ceasefire on humanitarian grounds and for respect of international humanitarian law - as a health organisation emphasising access to health care, the safety of health personnel and patients, and free passage for supplies for health services. For recent information on the health situation that might be useful for your own letters please click here. To contribute directly to support health serivces in Gaza you may want to support Medical Aid for Palestinians www.map-uk.org
04/01/2009
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IPPNW statement on the situation in Gaza
Please click here for the statement on Gaza from the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War.
01/01/2009
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Petition to support High Court ruling on BAE Systems' arms deals
Following the High Court ruling that cutting short the investigation into alleged corruption in BAE Systems' arms deals with Saudi Arabia, Campaign Against the Arms Trade and the Corner House are asking people to sign a petition that will be sent to the Prime Minister next week asking for a commitment that there will be no more interference with the investigation. If you would like to sign click the website link here..........
11/04/2008
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Rehabilitation under fire: health care in Iraq 2003-2007
This report describes how the 2003 war and its aftermath continue to have a disastrous impact on the physical and mental health of the Iraqi people. It builds on Medact’s previous widely-read reports on Iraq (2002-2006).
16/01/2008
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The Iraq Health Crisis
The Iraqi Medical Association in collaboration with Medact - July 2007
14/11/2007
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Biko to Guantanamo: 30 years of medical involvement in torture
Medact Chair Dr Frank Boulton was one of six signatories - on behalf of 260 other doctors - to a letter that has appeared in the Lancet highlighting the ongoing role of US military doctors in Guantanamo. The initiative of Dr David Nicholl, the letter draws parallels with the role of doctors responsible for Steve Biko at the time of his death in 1977.
25/09/2007
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The Iraq Commission
The Iraq Commission is an independent cross-party Commission facilitated by the Foreign Policy Centre and Channel 4 which has produced recommendations on the future of Britains role in Iraq. Medact's written evidence can be downloaded here; our written and oral evidence can also be found on the Commission website.
20/07/2007
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Reed Elsevier to exit the defence exhibitions business
It is such great news that Sir Crispin Davis has announced that Reed Elseiver will be exiting the defence exhibitions business. Many of Medact's members have been involved in this campaign. In his letter Sir Crispin Davis acknowledges the influence of the 'very real concerns' of 'growing numbers of important customers and authors, particuarly in the science and medical markets' in his decision. For the complete letter click here....
01/06/2007
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Time to Talk: the case for diplomatic solutions on Iran
The consequences of military action against Iran would be unthinkable...this is the message of a report produced by 15 organisations including Medact which was launched on February 5th. It argues that diplomatic solutions must be used to avoid an escalation with potentially disastrous consequences, and that the UK government can play a crucial role in making diplomacy work.
05/03/2007
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The devastating health effects of the conflict in the Middle East
As part of the ongoing campaign for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, Medact today sent a letter to all Cabinet Ministers outlining the devastating health effects of the present conflict, including the long term effects on health and well being of the violence, and of the massive destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon...
04/08/2006
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Is your MP supporting an immediate ceasefire?
Many thanks to those who have already supported this campaign for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. There is now a website you can visit to see if your MP is supporting an immediate ceasefire - if not please email them asking them to do so....
03/08/2006
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Tens of thousands call for immediate ceasefire
Many thanks to all who sent an email or a text message to the Prime Minister as part of the ongoing (please still send) campaign for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. This contributed to over 35,000 signatures that were handed over to Downing Street by Martin Bell OBE today....
01/08/2006
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An open letter to the Prime Minister
Medact is one of fourteen organisations who have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister which reflects their grave concern that the British government has not done more to try and bring about an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.....
for e-action see below
26/07/2006
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e-action on the situation in the Middle East
If you email the Prime Minister to urge for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East do use any of the points in the letter above. Other organisations will be using 'Take action to save lives in the Middle East' in the subject line, and using this will show a sense of unity, although this is up to you. For maximum effect this needs to be done today Wednesday 26th July. Emails to the Prime Minister can be sent through this website.
26/07/2006
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Conflict in Lebanon & Israel
Medact's grave concern at the violence and destruction being caused by the conflict in Lebanon and Israel is expressed in a letter to the press from Medact's new Chair, Dr Frank Boulton. To read the letter click here...
24/07/2006
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Conflict fuels Iraqi health crisis
Medact's most recent update brings together key evidence and eyewitness accounts to capture what is happening to the Iraqi health system today, and the effects of the conflict on the health of the Iraqi people
30/03/2006
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The enduring effects of war in Iraq: health in Iraq 2004
This latest Medact report analyses, from a public health perspective, the impact of the 2003 war in Iraq on health, the health system, and relief and reconstruction. The effects of the war must be measured not only by the initial death and injuries due to weaponry - terrible as these are - but also by the longer-term suffering, and enduring effects on the well being and daily lives of the population.
31/12/2004
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Continuing Collateral Damage: the health and environmental costs of war on Iraq 2003
The war on Iraq was declared officially at an end six months ago, but the health and environmental costs of the conflict are still being felt. Drawing on sources within and outside Iraq, the international health charity Medact says that the health consequences of the 2003 war on Iraq will be felt by its people for years, maybe generations.
27/12/2003
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Collateral Damage: the health and environmental costs of war on Iraq - 2002
Conflict with Iraq could cause half a million deaths and have a devastating impact on the lives, health and environment of the combatants, Iraqi civilians, and people in neighbouring countries and beyond. It could also damage the global economy and thus indirectly harm the health and well-being of millions more people across the world.
27/12/2002
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