WONCA Europe launches Istanbul Statement

WONCA Europe 2015 Istanbul Statement:

Refugees should have access to equitable, affordable and high-quality health care services in all Europe.

On behalf of our colleagues across our region, WONCA Europe and the Turkish association of Family Doctors (TAHUD) have published a statement on the refugee crisis, wishing to reaffirm that European family doctors are prepared to play a significant role in the provision of high quality and affordable health services to the current and future European population.

The statement has been launched at the WONCA Europe conference, held in Istanbul.

In 2015 TAHUD, celebrates its 25 year anniversary and WONCA Europe its 20 year anniversary. Through these years we have been promoting family medicine care for every family and community in Turkey and throughout Europe. As the position of the family doctors is increasingly recognised in many countries, we appreciate that more citizens are getting the quality care they need, near their homes. Family doctors provide services to people and societies unconditionally, which is based on a set of core values, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, sexual preference or religion.

Now, the world and Europe face another dire challenge: the current refugee crisis represents the biggest humanitarian emergency on our continent since the Second World War. Its effects on the health of these individuals may be devastating, and primary care services and workforce are challenged to react to new priorities in public health.

We firmly believe that every single human being has the right to peace and we plead for action for its achievement in our region and the whole world.

Read WONCA Istanbul Statement hereEspañol: Manifiesto de EstambulPortuguês:  Declaração de Istambul