title: Ethical responsibilities of health professionals in caring for detainees and prisoners.
abstract: The provision of humane and effective health care for prisoners presents formidable challenges. The practical and ethical problems encountered are even greater in the provision of such care for detainees under a State of Emergency. The extent to which these challenges are faced and met reflect the level of civilisation of a society, the ethical integrity of prison medical services and the degree of support they receive from their colleagues and professional associations. The need to recognise these dilemmas, to discuss them openly and to seek humane solutions, including the abolition of detention without trial, are ongoing challenges for our society, in which the legal and medical professions can and should provide leadership.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Benatar
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006296:Health Services; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement; D028681:Moral Obligations; D010819:Physician's Role; D011329:Prisoners; D028743:Professional Misconduct; D012380:Role; D012935:Social Justice; D013019:South Africa