Where We Stand
Section: Workforce Issues
Policy: Workforce Issues: Protection of Healthcare and Humanitarian Aid Personnel in Conflict Zones

Protection of Healthcare and Humanitarian Aid Personnel in Conflict Zones

Number 1 - Condemnation

That the Oregon Medical Association (OMA) condemns all forms of violence, forced displacement, and interference—by any party and in any location—against healthcare personnel, humanitarian aid workers, and healthcare institutions. The OMA calls for a ban on the targeting, detention, or attack of healthcare workers and institutions, and demands the immediate release of any healthcare or humanitarian personnel held captive. The OMA opposes the use of force or violent means to prevent, restrict, or interfere with the delivery of medical supplies, healthcare, or humanitarian aid, whether domestically or internationally.

Number 2 - Multi-Level Advocacy

That the OMA will advocate at all appropriate levels—including legislative, judicial, regulatory, and public policy arenas, and to support policies ensuring unrestricted, equitable, and safe access to humanitarian aid and medical supplies for all critically affected populations.

Number 3 - Support for International Recognition and Oversight

That the OMA urges the United States Congress to support United Nations efforts to condemn the practice of using force or violent means to prevent, restrict, or interfere with the delivery of medical supplies, healthcare, or humanitarian aid, and to establish a mechanism to provide oversight and protection of medical response in humanitarian crises. This includes supporting mechanisms for documentation of violations and enforcing accountability (PHR, 2024; Washington Centre, 2024).

Number 4 - Advocacy within Organized Medicine

That the OMA will direct the OMA delegation to the AMA requesting that the AMA amend H-520.985 Protection of Healthcare and Humanitarian Aid Workers in all Areas of Armed Conflict as described below with the addition of c-e.
  1. Our American Medical Association supports peace in Israel and Palestine in order to protect civilian lives and healthcare personnel.
  2. Our AMA supports the safety of healthcare and humanitarian aid workers along with safe access to healthcare, healthcare facilities, and humanitarian aid for all civilians in areas of armed conflict.
  3. Our AMA condemns the use of all forms of violence, forced displacement, and obstruction of any aid and healthcare in any location against healthcare personnel, humanitarian aid workers, and healthcare institutions.
  4. Our AMA advocates for an absolute ban on targeting, detention, or attack of healthcare workers, humanitarian personnel, and their institutions, and demands the immediate release of any healthcare or humanitarian personnel held captive.
  5. Our AMA actively opposes the use of force or violent means to prevent, restrict, or interfere with the delivery of medical supplies, healthcare, or humanitarian aid, whether domestically or internationally.

See Appendix AE

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, February 2026

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