Sirte: The Integrity of Medical Facilities Must Be Respected

MISRATA/PARIS, OCTOBER 19, 2011—The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today called on the warring parties in Libya to immediately halt all attacks on and intrusions into medical facilities in the town of Sirte. All wounded patients must have access to care and must be able to receive treatment without discrimination and fear of reprisal.

After assessing the needs at Ibn Sina, MSF provided surgical supplies, organized the resumption of surgery in the hospital's two refurbished operating rooms, and delivered 150,000 liters of water.  The hospital, which had been without water and electricity, is now fully functional. Libyan medical personnel have arrived to assist, enabling the resumption of surgical services. Security, however, remains critical to ensuring that all wounded patients have access to care, regardless of which “side” they belong to, as stipulated by international humanitarian law.