If you are a trainee or fellow of the RACGP
please endorse this letter to the Board. YOu can add your name and position by contacting Firoza at kfiroza@yahoo.com
Dear President and Board of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
We write to you as deeply concerned fellows and trainees of the college. We believe that our college, representing both adult and paediatric medicine, has not upheld medical ethics in the response to the situation in Gaza. We believe that the response, including statements (and lack thereof), support to members and mobilisation for aid has been insufficient. We look to the example of the British Medical Association, who have developed a detailed position statement on the Gaza crisis; and strongly encourage you to follow their lead (statement is attached).
The pillars of medical ethics are beneficence ‘do good’, non maleficence ‘do no harm’, autonomy and justice, which includes medical neutrality. Our Australian medical colleges have a responsibility to both their members and the wider community to be guided by these principles. Whilst our reach and scope is global, it is imperative to remember that all conflicts will also directly involve descendants, immigrants and refugees, thus a local response is also required. Our expectation of the RACGP is for a comprehensive statement on the most devastating conflict thus far in the 21st century. Indeed, Gaza has been called a ‘graveyard for children’ with an estimated 12,000+ killed. 10,000 have lost limbs, 25,000 have lost parents and all 1 million plus have suffered severe psychological trauma. It is unsatisfactory that our College of Paediatrics has not acknowledged this immense suffering. A further 15,000 adults have been killed directly by weaponry, with thousands more now starving, and dying of infectious and chronic disease due to lack of access to their medicines and treatments such as dialysis. Again, it is unsatisfactory that our college does not acknowledge this unnecessary morbidity and mortality.
Whilst acknowledging the current state of events, we also expect the RACGP to support a position that would lead to an end to the violence, displacement and human suffering. This would include supporting an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the free flow of aid into Gaza, and a humanitarian corridor. Adherence to international humanitarian law is also vital. The ongoing targeting of healthcare facilities, in addition to the kidnapping and killing of healthcare workers should be condemned.
We expect adequate support for members. Our RACGP members who are Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims or at a humane level are deeply distressed by the violence and destruction. Members who have fundraised for medical charities, who have shared information on events in Palestine, who have attended vigils and rallies for peace, have been harassed and bullied relentlessly online and in their workplaces. They have feared for their reputation and their jobs. They have not had any acknowledgment of this from the RACGP , nor have they had any specific support or solidarity offered. When doctors work to uphold medical ethics, it is expected that their colleges would stand alongside them.
Finally, as a College representing more than 40,000 medical professionals, we should be working to relieve the human suffering in Gaza with our skills and expertise. There are many ways that our college could assist in coordinating a response - telehealth, advice on antimicrobial resistance, working to get medicines into Gaza, lobbying our government to provide aid and assistance in the face of a destroyed healthcare system. Whilst we work within Australia and New Zealand Aotearoa, medical ethics dictates justice, and that all humans deserve adequate and accessible healthcare.
Multiple statements and articles were released on the Ukraine conflict by the College. (News GP and X) You spoke to the issue of some Ukrainian refugees being denied Medicare. You rightfully acknowledged the suffering of the Ukrainian people. It is concerning that the board has thus far declined to release a similar statement for the people of Gaza, a conflict with a far greater amount of child deaths, deaths of healthcare workers, and destruction of healthcare facilities. Adhering to medical neutrality is vital for our healthcare institutions.
To reiterate, we request a statement of acknowledgement of the conflict in Gaza including a call for a ceasefire, free flow of aid and protection of healthcare workers and facilities. We also request a show of support for members affected by the conflict; and leadership in directing Australian and NZ doctors in aiding the people in Gaza.
Yours Sincerely
