At least 803 reported attacks on health systems were recorded in 2020. One reason: COVID-19 related misinformation on social media
In 2020, Insecurity Insight reported at least 803 attacks on health workers in 2020, with at least 199 health workers killed, according to Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition definitions as described in the topic synopsis. The data for these figures can be found here.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in violence against healthcare workers (HCWs) and international aid workers, as anti-foreigner sentiment rose in many countries. Many health workers were stigmatized out of fear they could spread COVID-19. Additionally, in some countries, doctors faced harsh reprisals from police for speaking out against government policies and the lack of proper personal protective equipment (PPE), or about COVID-19 deaths that did not tally with official government numbers.
Additionally, misinformation on social media and animosity towards government lockdown measures has pushed many people to target HCWs, who are easier targets than security forces enforcing quarantine measures.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where an Ebola outbreak in June 2020 coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, false statements circulating on social media are possibly partially responsible for several attacks on health clinics and treatment centers. Some of the attacks were organized on social media. The majority of Facebook discussion about humanitarian and medical aid was negative as reported by Insecurity Insight, and included claims of corruption, anti-WHO, and anti-vaccine statements. In Colombia, one politician claimed a "covid cartel" of doctors was unnecessarily admitting patients to COVID-19 ICU wards in order to profit off higher payments. In Mexico, some doctors and nurses began riding bicycles to work to avoid attacks on public transport and taxis.
Questions to discuss: Misinformation on social media is incredibly dangerous, and a major point of discussion in relation to U.S. politics. In regards to COVID-19, not only can it stigmatize health workers and patients, but can also lead many to forgo treatment out of misguided fear with potentially fatal consequences. Over the years, social media giants like Facebook and Twitter have adopted new policies in response to outcry, but clearly, many cases slip through the cracks.
What actions can smaller countries take to combat misinformation, who may not be of priority in the eyes of corporations like Facebook?
How does this topic relate to our broader discussion of violence and targeting of HCWs?
Uganda understands the negative impact of violence and targeting of HCWs that occur in many conflict zones. In Uganda, the chief humanitarian director within the United Nations, reported the circumstances in northern Uganda as "the biggest neglected humanitarian emergency in the world." We believe action must be taken in order to allow for medical supplies to be delivered to nations in conflict zones without medical professionals and hospitals being at risk. One solution we, Uganda, hope to implement in committee is an international legal framework. We will focus on utilizing the Global Health Observatory data collection system to track the attacks that take place on medical facilities. Once these attackers are identified, UN peacekeepers would be sent by the UN Security Council and the international community to the hospitals being targeted to guard the entrances with protected checkpoints. These UN peacekeepers would receive proper training in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and the Ethical Principles of Healthcare in Times of Armed Conflict, adopted by the World Medical Association. We believe through this solution we would be able to protect health systems that are being affected, focusing on COVID-19 related misinformation on social media. We are looking forward to meeting all the other delegates in committee very soon and discussing solutions for these prevalent topics!!
ReplyDeleteGisell and Mohini (Uganda)
Seeing as there were 803 attacks towards the healthcare sector in 2020 alone, Norway is profoundly upset with the attacks targeting healthcare workers, especially regarding the rise of COVID-19. Not only terrorists but government officials themselves are lashing out at doctors who are simply trying to fulfill their honorable duties of treating patients. In order to uphold the neutrality, safety, and impartiality of healthcare providers within conflict zones, we believe there should be a great focus on this. Especially regarding the fact that these specific values are enshrined within the Geneva Convention, which is the fundamental convention to the genesis of the UN, healthcare providers should NOT be attacked. -Norway
ReplyDeleteThe delegation of Portugal recognizes the growing global crisis of media misinformation regarding COVID-19 and subsequent attacks on healthcare workers. COVID-19 misinformation on social media has been a pervasive issue in Portugal. Currently in Portugal the two leading social media platforms are Facebook, a multi-media online posting forum, and Hi5, a private messaging and profile based platform. While the Constitution of Portugal protects individuals freedom of speech, there have been numerous recent posts that are subversive against the State of Emergency restrictions, as well as posts advocating against vaccines. Some groups, particularly on Facebook, have consistently been spreading falsified studies and fraudulent information regarding COVID-19, potentially reaching thousands of Portugese citizens.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, attacks on doctors and other healthcare workers have been relatively limited in Portugal. As Portugal has adopted a system-call policy in which patients must pre schedule with their referred doctor, walk-in or hospital violence has been at a minimum. In addition to this, Portugal offers healthcare services in three coexisting bodies being the National Health Service, special health insurance sub-bodies, and optional private health care. Regardless of which sector healthcare workers are contracted under, the governmental Ministry of Health is the body responsible for evaluating all health policy and overseeing healthcare workers. The Regional Health Authority also is in charge of supervising and monitoring healthcare providers and workers in the public and private sectors, ensuring proper licensing, functioning, and maintenance of human rights for healthcare workers under Decree-Law No. 127/2014.
To combat misinformation, smaller countries can independently review media sources and enforce a greater degree of oversight over media groups. Governments could emphasize real-time, large-scale systems to fact-check social media posts and content regarding important issues like COVID-19. Government agencies could also be tasked with coordinating national and multilateral efforts to combat misinformation on a broad scale. Some countries have also experimented with long-term data-literacy drives, which help prevent public susceptibility to misinformation.
Taking Portugal’s precedent, smaller nations or nations internationally should be proactive in assigning official members of government or prominent figures to represent a promoting voice for the vaccine. In Portugal’s case, this is Rear Adm. Henrique Gouveia e Melo who is currently the official head of the vaccine task force. His role has entailed promoting the vaccine via news interviews and online presences, as well as ensuring smooth delivery efforts of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Delegation of Portugal
Works Cited
David Thomas, et al. “COVID-19 – What Is True? What Is False? What Is Misinformation?” Portugal Resident, 15 Feb. 2021, www.portugalresident.com/covid-19-what-is-true-what-is-false-what-is-misinformation/.
“The Healthcare Law Review: Portugal.” The Law Reviews - The Healthcare Law Review, thelawreviews.co.uk/title/the-healthcare-law-review/portugal.
“Social Media Guide.” Business Culture, 22 Nov. 2013, businessculture.org/southern-europe/business-culture-in-portugal/social-media-guide-for-portugal/.
Unver, H. Akin. “'Fake News' Methods Change Faster than Western Governments Can React. Here's How to Keep up.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 13 Aug. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/08/13/fake-news-methods-change-faster-than-western-governments-can-react-heres-how-keep-up/.
“Vaccine Information Statements.” Portuguese-Language Vaccine Information Statements, www.immunize.org/vis/vis_portugal