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/statute: A law or statute is:

• the body or system of rules that are recognised by a community and are enforceable by an established process;
• an official rule, or order stating what may or may not be done or how something must be done;
• an order issued by a government/state department or agency that has the force of law.

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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.