Resolution 4 : Health Care in Danger: Continuing to protect the delivery of health care together | Power of humanity: Red Cross Red Crescent

National Society

Name, position and email of the focal person

Preben Marcussen, Policy Advisor, Preben.marcussen@redcross.no

1. Which measures have you put in place in order to enhance the secure functioning of health care (personnel, facilities and medical transport)?

Since IC32, NorCross has:
• Supported the national implementation of HCiD recommendations in Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Lebanon, Libya and South Sudan.
• Established and led the Community of Action for Ambulance and Prehospital Services in Risk Situations (CoA).
• Carried out national advocacy efforts, included through bilateral channels and organising seminars.

What strategies has your National Society adopted to promote and implement the HCiD recommendations throughout the country?

• NorCross has involved the Norwegian ambulance sector in a seminar and invited them into the above mentioned Community of Action.
• To further promote and implement recommendations internationally, NorCross is organizing a round-table meeting to share lessons learned and define a common vision in terms of humanitarian diplomacy and resource mobilization for HCiD for the years to come. Due to the privileged position that NSs have as auxiliaries to their governments, governmental donors will be the primary focus. As part of the government, these donors can play the dual role of a donor (resource mobilization) and an agent of a change (humanitarian diplomacy) in strategically important fora such as the UNGA, UNSC, WHA and others.

2. What concrete actions have you conducted to collect and analyze data related to violence against the wounded and sick, health care personnel and facilities, and medical transport? How did you use this information to develop practical measures to address such violence?

• In Colombia, El Salvador and Honduras, NorCross has supported the National Society in collecting data on attacks against health care personnel, facilities, patients and medical transport.

3. What actions have you taken to enhance your staff and volunteers’ understanding of the rights and responsibilities of health care personnel? In addition, have you implemented concrete measures (e.g. Safer Access Framework, “Stay Safe” toolkit, uphold and abide by the Fundamental Principles, etc.) to ensure the safety of health care delivery?

• NorCross has facilitated an exchange of best practices through online courses (#Ambulance!) for which about 1500 participants registered in 2016 and 2017.
• NorCross facilitated exchange of experience between Lebanon Red Cross and Libyan Red Crescent in 2016. In 2017, the three NSs agreed on a way forward for implementation of protective measures for the National Society in Libya.
• The NorCross supported HCiD activities include sensitization for health care personnel and national society staff and volunteers, on their rights and responsibilities.

4. As an auxiliary to your government, what activities have you initiated with your government to promote and advocate efforts to address the issue of violence against the wounded and sick, health-care personnel and facilities, and medical transport?

• In 2016, NorCross and Swedish Red Cross co-hosted a seminar in Oslo where the ambulance sector outlined the scope of the problem in Norway and Sweden and Health authorities from both countries were present and invited to respond to the recommendations. NorCross has followed this up bilaterally with the Health Directorate and through advocacy in sector-specific media (Ambulanse Forum).
• NorCross has continued to advocate to the Norwegian MFA for a stronger role of the Norwegian government with regard to how create incentives for more accountability regarding the protection of health care services and the continuation of support and capacity building, not just before and after, but also in the midst of conflict. Norwegian Medical Association's monthly publication). These reflections are also included in an article written by NorCross and sent in to the Norwegian Medical Association's monthly publication.

Attached files