The Sovereign Order of Malta Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York hosted the “Human Trafficking Policy and Protocol for Global Healthcare providers proposed for adoptions by the World Health Organization” on Thursday 29 September. The event was held in the Social and Economic Council Chamber at the UN Headquarters and was attended by over 130 UN staff and diplomats, along with the leaders of several health care centres nationally.

During the event, organised with Global Strategic Operatives – a non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against Human Trafficking – the Ambassador of the Order of Malta to the UN in New York, Paul Beresford-Hill presented the Protocol for Healthcare Workers to a representative of the Secretary General’s Office.  The Protocol was then submitted to Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization.

“Almost 90 % of trafficked victims seek medical assistance during their time in captivity. We want health care professional throughout the world to have the tools to identify these patients and provide intervention with the civic and other authorities that will set them free” Ambassador Beresford-Hill stated in his address.

The protocol explained Deborah O’Hara Rusckowski – Special Advisor to the Order of Malta’s Ambassador on Human Trafficking – is a result of a three-year research and data collection work which will allow providers and health workers to better identify victims of trafficking and take action despite their appearances.

Click here for a copy of the Protocol

Watch the summary of the event: