On Friday 25 July, the College wrote to the UK Prime Minister to express its deep concern at the impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza on women and girls, including women who are pregnant and those who have recently given birth, and the healthcare workers supporting them.
RCOG Council voted in favour of sending this letter, signed by all College Officers, following a discussion at the July meeting of Council.
Dear Prime Minister,
We are writing to express our deep concern at the impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza on women and girls, including women who are pregnant and those who have recently given birth, and the healthcare workers supporting them.
The greatest and most enduring suffering in conflict and war is always that of women, children and future generations. As a college whose mission is to improve the health of women and girls around the globe, we abhor violence in all forms and are committed to supporting women to access treatment and care without the threat of violence.
As the violence continues in the region, with little to suggest an imminent end, we feel we have a duty to highlight the plight of women and girls in crisis situations such as this, where access to essential healthcare including medicines for use in pregnancy and labour, contraception and period products is severely undermined. This not only threatens the health of women and girls, and of their babies, but it also strips away their dignity, creating anxiety, isolation and shame.
Furthermore, we stand in solidarity with healthcare professionals practising in countries affected by conflict and war, including those currently in Gaza, who risk their lives to provide care for those in need. We share the profound sorrow of many others at the death or injury of any healthcare worker who risks their own safety to support populations affected by conflict and war.
Access to essential healthcare and the safety of medical professionals must be ensured and we condemn any actions that impede this.
We therefore call on the UK Government to urgently:
- continue to work through all the available channels to advocate for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire;
- press for the opening of border crossings to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, including essential medical supplies, food, and clean water, so women and girls can get the treatment and care they need;
- demand that all parties uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to respect and protect medical professionals and their families, facilities, patients and civilians, with an unequivocal end to hospitals and healthcare workers being targeted by military attacks.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Professor Hassan Shehata, Senior and Global Health Vice President
Mr Ian Scudamore, Vice President for Education
Professor Asma Khalil, Vice President for Academia and Strategy
Dr Laura Hipple, Vice President for Membership and Workforce
Mrs Geeta Kumar, Vice President for Clinical Quality
- Access the full letter here: Gaza letter of concern from the RCOG