Protect Syria's doctors: an open letter to world leaders
www.thelancet.com Vol 388 September 10, 2016 1055 advocated by the USA. The fi rst line of the report stated: "the threatened war on Iraq could have disastrous short, medium and long term consequences not only for the Iraqi population and its neighbours, but also further afi eld" The report proved tragically accurate in anticipating the ensuing death and destruction of what is now widely regarded as an illegal, pernicious, and unjustifi ed war. As noted by Richard Horton (July 9, p 114) one lesson from this terrible episode in history is that international health organisations can do better at anticipating and responding to the consequences of war. But another is that the health community must be more actively engaged in peace building. Although mainstream reporting on the Chilcot Inquiry has focused on the particular role of Tony Blair in pursuing the case for war, the Chilcot report also described a wider militaristic culture across the establishment that did not see the folly of using war to combat terrorism or promote human rights in the Middle East. Medact is one of a few health organisations with an explicit remit to use public health principles and arguments to promote peace and oppose violence. With the UK Parliament having recently approved the renewal of the Trident Nuclear Weapons system (risking more militaristic folly in pursuit of humanitarian catastrophe) we urge all health professionals to seek better and more eff ective ways to secure security and good health for all.
The Lancet