The ethical principles of health care in times of armed conflict and other emergencies

The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) endorses the ethical principles of

Health: 'Health' is defined in the WHO constitution of 1948 as a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

See also Health promotion

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care in times of armed conflict and other emergencies, arising from the Health Care in Danger project led by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and encourages its member organisations to promote their implementation and monitoring. 

The principles emphasise the

See Professional ethics

See Research ethics

underpinning access to and delivery of health care for all during armed conflict and other emergencies and the full implementation of

International humanitarian law: A set of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects people who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.

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, without discrimination.  

Ethical principles guide the relationship between patients, clients, carers and health care professionals; they can also be extended to volunteers and technical support staff. These principles are embodied in WCPT’s Ethical Principles and accompanying policy statement on the ethical responsibilities of physical therapists and member organisations. The ICRC principles supplement these by contemplating issues such as discrimination, abuse of privileges, confidentiality, and torture.