NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association President O’Bray Smith made the following statement at a recent Committee of Delegates meeting in support of our nursing and midwifery colleagues in the Ukraine

On behalf of New South Wales nurses and midwives and Council, I’d like to send a message of solidarity to our nursing and midwifery colleagues in the Ukraine. Our thoughts are with the people of the Ukraine who are caught in the middle of this unnecessary conflict. We’ve all seen the shocking news and images showing healthcare workers trying to provide care while under Russian attack.

The protection and safety of all health workers is paramount and any attack targeting health workers or health facilities goes against the protection of health workers enshrined in international regulations and the Geneva Convention and is an affront against humanity.

We call on all parties involved in the conflict and the international community to do everything in their power to protect the safety of our healthcare workers who often put themselves in mortal danger to care for others. Access to healthcare and the delivery of humanitarian assistance must remain a priority for all concerned as we see cities under attack and tens of thousands of people being displaced.

We also extend a message of solidarity to healthcare workers in all countries facing conflict.