Prisoners of war

Background

Principles of war are laid out in various international treaties such as the Geneva Conventions and Hague Conventions
Treaties and customary practices regulate the conduct of hostilities and are meant to establish certain humanitarian protections

Captors must respect and protect those who surrender
Treat POWs humanely
POWs entitled to medical care at standard of care given to captor's service members
Triage by severity of injury not by nationality/uniform

Perform screening medical examination
Create and maintain medical record during in-processing
Provide Geneva Conventions in POWs native language
Medical support includes sick call, first aid, surgery for serious illness/injury, rehabilitation if appropriate after surgery, preventive medical services (vaccinations)
Monthly medical inspections and periodic sanitary inspections of facility

Must not violate the conventions
- No obligation to follow unlawful order
- If you think order is unlawful ask for clarification, try to get it withdrawn, if doesn't work then must disobey it
Must prevent others from violating
Report any suspected violations
Entitled to defend themselves and their patients
Body cavity searches for valid medical reasons only - not part of routine intake
Roles of medical personnel in war limited to seeking/collecting/transporting/treating/sheltering injured/wounded/sick as well as prevention of disease

Treat injured/wounded/sick casualties and POWs
Use/store defensive arms for protection of military treatment facility if attacked
Transfer patient's arms/ammunition to storage

Authors: