By: Muktar Yahaya Shehu
International committee of the Red cross ICRC has assured its commitment to support on how to protect Healthcare workers, facilities and patients during armed conflicts.
The Head of Sub delegation International Committee of the Red Cross Kano Roger Al Haddad stated this during the ICRC Healthcare in Danger media Roundtable with the Journalists from North western part of Nigeria in Kano.
Roger Al Haddad said the ICRC Healthcare in Danger initiative was born out of these global concern to ensure that, healthcare workers, facilities and patients are respected and protected during armed conflicts and other emergencies.
“In Nigeria our work under this initiative focusses on dialogue, awareness and partnership with authorities, security agencies, healthcare professionals and the Media.” Roger Al Haddad said
According to ICRC Head of Sub deligation Kano Roger Al Haddad the meeting came at a time when violence and insecurity continue to place enormous strain on healthcare delivery in parts of Nigeria particularly in the Northern part.
” Everyday Doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers and other healthcare workers risk their lives to save others. We are here today because Media plays central humanitarian Role,” Roger Al Haddad added.
In his welcome address a veteran Journalist also a Director public affairs Bayero University, Kano Malam Lamara Garba Azare said the engagement comes at a crucial moment when the safety of healthcare workers and the protection of medical services in Nigeria continue to face increasing threats, especially in regions affected by insecurity and armed conflict. Across the country, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals continue to serve with courage and commitment, often under life-threatening conditions. Yet, hospitals, clinics, and ambulances-which should be sanctuaries of healing-are sometimes attacked, obstructed, or exposed to undue interference.
Malam Lamara Garba Azare pointed out that in some reported cases, armed personnel have taken their wounded colleagues to hospitals and forced medical staff to treat them first, even when other patients were in greater need of urgent attention. This act not only violates medical ethics but also undermines the humanitarian principle of medical neutrality, which guarantees that healthcare decisions should always be guided by urgency and need, not pressure or intimidation. When medical personnel are coerced or threatened, lives are lost unnecessarily, and the integrity of the health system is weakened.
“This roundtable is therefore timely and essential. It seeks to promote understanding, responsibility, and advocacy for the protection of healthcare services in times of crisis. At the heart of this effort is the media, whose role is both fundamental and transformative,” Said.
According to Malam Lamara Garba Azare Journalists are the voice of society and the bridge between the realities on the ground and the conscience of the nation.
“Your reports can influence attitudes, inspire empathy, and compel action. By shining light on these issues, the media can help ensure that healthcare remains a protected, respected, and neutral service even amid conflict,” Lamara Garba added.
Lamara Garba further said the roundtable provides a platform for dialogue, learning, and collaboration. It is hope that discussions will deepen a collective understanding of the ICRC’s “Health Care in Danger” initiative and strengthen the partnership between the media and humanitarian actors in advancing this vital cause.
During the meeting a public relations officer ICRC Kano Aliyu Dawobe spoke at length about the internal Committee on Red Cross ICRC, its formation, duties in the state, Nigeria and the world at large.
Other paper presentation at the meeting were overview of the violence against healthcare – protecting healthcare in secure environment, the role of Media by Juliet Kelechi Unubi a Healthcare in Danger adviser for ICRC Nigeria as well as paper presentation on Legal Frameworks, medical ethics and the gunshot act by Halima Temitope Edu a ICRC legal adviser.
The ICRC Healthcare in Danger HCID media Roundtable was attended by 30 Journalists from the North western part of Nigeria.
