The World Medical Association and Confederation of Medical Association
of Asia and Oceania have condemned as “abhorrent” the killing of a Japanese
doctor in Afghanistan.
Dr. Tetsu Nadkamura 73, who had devoted his career to improving the
lives of Afghans, was shot by gunmen in an attack in the city of Jalalabad in
eastern Afghanistan, later he succumbed to his injuries. His three security
guards, his driver and a colleague were also killed in the attack.
Dr. Nakamura, headed a Japanese charity working to improve irrigation
in the country. He had spent almost 30 years in Afghanistan and in October this
year he was awarded honorary citizenship from the Afghan government for his
humanitarian work.
Dr. Nakamura had been in Afghanistan since 1986 helping to construct
wells and irrigation in villages where many suffered from cholera and other
diseases because of a lack of clean water. In 2003, he won the Ramon Magsaysay
Award, widely regarded as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
Last month at the 72nd anniversary function of the Japan Medical
Association, of which he was a member, Dr. Nakamura was honoured with the
Supreme Merit Award for his long term contribution to global health.
WMA President Dr. Miguel Jorge said: ‘I am appalled by this senseless
attack on a man who has given his life to working for the betterment of
humanity in Afghanistan. Attacks on healthcare personnel around the world are
an outrage that must be stopped. Wherever they work, people delivering health
care must be respected and protected. The world must speak up to condemn these
atrocious acts.’
CMAAO President Dr K K Aggarwal said “all
Asian countries are saddened by this act of cruelty. I was present in Japan
when he was honoured last month. Attacks on doctors should be condemned jointly
by all National Medical Associations and the culprits should be brought to
task. ”
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
President Confederation of Medical
Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)
Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President Heart Care Foundation of
India
Past National President
IMA
No comments:
Post a Comment