More than 1,500 health workers have expressed their discontent with the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) for cancelling a planned panel discussion aimed at addressing the health impacts of ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Myanmar. The event was supposed to feature prominent speakers, including Associate Professor Tilman Ruff, a co-founder of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, and Alison Moebus, a Médecins Sans Frontières paediatric nurse recently active in Gaza. Dr. Sue Wareham, president of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War, criticized the cancellation, indicating that discussions on the health of children affected by war should be prioritized over political considerations. She vehemently rejected any notions that excluded the plight of children in Gaza, deeming such suggestions as highly offensive.
Concern over the event’s implications was also raised by psychiatrist Doron Samuell, who suggested that holding the discussion could expose Jewish staff and patients to risks of moral injury and workplace trauma. Following his communication with hospital leadership, he publicly endorsed their decision to cancel the event, arguing that health institutions should remain focused on patient care and avoid delving into politically charged issues. The Health Minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, weighed in on the controversy, stating that the decision came from the hospital’s leadership aimed at ensuring the safety of both patients and staff in a context of heightened community tensions.
The Royal Children’s Hospital has not disclosed the number of complaints received related to the event cancellation. However, Maddy Harradence, Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), highlighted the ethical responsibility that nurses, midwives, and health professionals have to advocate for the rights and health of children, especially those affected by war. She noted disappointment among ANMF members regarding the choice to cancel the panel, emphasizing the importance of open and respectful dialogue within clinical forums on international health matters.
The health crisis in Gaza persists, with reports indicating that at least 20,000 children have been killed and an equal number left permanently disabled since the escalation of conflict in October 2023. These stark statistics underscore the critical need for healthcare discussions regarding war-affected populations. Internal dissent within the RCH has grown, leading some staff to question their place within the organization, with instances of individuals confronting institutional values in light of the cancellation. The matter has raised broader concerns within the medical community regarding censorship and the repercussions of voicing opinions on sensitive geopolitical issues.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has previously faced scrutiny over complaints from practitioners regarding their public expressions of opinion on the Gaza conflict. Although AHPRA indicated that these complaints did not necessitate formal investigations, the fear among medical professionals about potential repercussions has contributed to a climate of apprehension. Notably, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners urged AHPRA to expedite the handling of complaints involving GPs who have expressed their views on the ongoing situation, highlighting the tension between professional responsibility and personal beliefs.
In conclusion, the cancellation of the RCH panel has ignited significant debate among health professionals regarding the intersection of healthcare, ethics, and politics. While the leadership at RCH argued the decision was made in the best interests of patient and staff welfare, many in the health community see it as a missed opportunity to address critical public health issues affecting children in conflict zones. The ongoing backlash from health workers illustrates the urgent need for more inclusive discussions that do not shy away from the realities faced by vulnerable populations amidst global conflicts.
