The challenges and hopes of providing medical assistance to victims of chemical warfare 

An international Symposium on Medical Treatment of Chemical Warfare Victims was convened by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague.

More than 50 scientists, clinicians, experts, academia, and civil society representatives from around the world attended the symposium, which focused on various challenges associated with providing medical assistance for victims of chemical warfare, with a special focus on long-term health effects and the treatment necessary for these conditions. 

During his opening address, OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, encouraged the assembled experts to: “Seek concrete outcomes that will further ameliorate the ongoing medical care of victims of chemical weapons.”

The event provided an forum to share experience and exchange ideas that should result in identifying priorities for victim assistance projects and future scientific research.

The participants also discussed the latest findings on the long-term health effects of exposure to chemical warfare agents, as well as challenges and gaps in treatment provision. 

A symposium declaration was prepared by the participants, which elaborated recommendations on how the Technical Secretariat and the International Support Network for Victims of Chemical Weapons could most positively provide support for victims of chemical weapons. The declaration also contains recommendations for other relevant international organisations and the medical community at large regarding medical assistance for victims of chemical weapons, as well as research and scientific collaboration in this field.

This draft symposium declaration was distributed during the final session and will be finalised for submission to the OPCW Technical Secretariat over the coming days.