Islamabad,(Parliament Times): Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has strongly condemned the ongoing attacks on the health systems and health workers in Iran and Lebanon. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), since 28 February, 43 attacks on health facilities have taken place, resulting in 24 health workers losing their lives. These attacks have deprived millions of people in the affected areas of access to basic healthcare services.
In a statement on Monday, President of PIMA Prof. Atif Hafeez Siddiqui emphasized that healthcare providers and facilities are entitled to full protection under international humanitarian law. Targeting health facilities and workers not only endangers human lives but also severely undermines the health system.
He further noted that the ongoing conflict has displaced approximately 800,000 people. Limited access to clean water, sanitation, and basic health services has increased the risk of respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and other communicable illnesses. Additionally, environmental hazards such as petroleum fires and smoke are negatively affecting the health of local communities.
PIMA urged that health facilities, patients, and health workers must be fully protected and that humanitarian aid must not be obstructed, so that affected populations can receive timely and effective medical assistance.