Health staff, clinics attacked, need more protection – rights groups

Health workers in countries torn by civil unrest and conflict – particularly Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria – need greater protection against attacks on medical facilities, staff and patients, rights groups and aid agencies said on Wednesday.

Targeted attacks are destroying health systems and infrastructure, forcing health workers to flee and preventing children from getting vaccinations, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition said in a report.

Governments and non-state armed groups must do more to prevent attacks on medical staff and facilities and hold the perpetrators accountable, the report said.
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