Friday, August 19, 2011

#AskDrKK: Do doctor’s ethics govern hunger strike?

#DrKKAnswers: Many doctors who graduated before 1990 may not be aware about the guidelines as regards hunger strikers. The first declaration of World Medical Assembly was adopted in 1991, revised in 1992 and then again revised in 2006. It is called the ‘WMA Declaration of Malta on Hunger Strikers’. It describes the duties of a doctor and guidelines for the management of hunger strikers. As per the WMA Declaration, all physicians are bound by Medical Ethics even when not providing therapy. They must try to prevent coercion or maltreatment of detainees and must protest if it occurs. It is the duty of the physicians to take the hunger striker in confidence in isolation and find out his or her intention before and during the fast.

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