OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine promotes involvement of medical practitioners in referring trafficking victims

KYIV, 25 June 2010 - Practical ways to involve field-level medical practitioners in anti-trafficking actions were discussed at a roundtable seminar organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator (PCU) in Kyiv today.

The event was aimed at staff from medical institutions in the Desnianskiy district of Kyiv as part of a pilot initiative to increase their awareness about trafficking in human beings, and to support the provision of medical help to trafficking victims in a respectful and confidential manner. Participants discussed new methodology to help prevent trafficking and identify presumed victims. After testing in the pilot district, the methodology will be applied in other medical institutions throughout Ukraine.

"Medical practitioners have a key role in breaking the silence about the problem of trafficking in human beings. That is why the OSCE is assisting in building their specialized knowledge and skills to address the problem of human trafficking within their scope of responsibilities," said Rene BeBeau, a Senior Project Manager of the OSCE PCU.

Yuriy Zaharichev, the head of the Desnianskiy District State Administration, said: "Gynaecologists, therapists, family doctors, physicians and nurses are among the first and most important actors in the process of identifying victims of human trafficking. Medical practitioners also play a key role in providing professional medical assistance and proper referrals of trafficking survivors to the regional anti-trafficking NGOs, which have extensive experience in helping people at risk of being trafficked and assisting victims of this crime."

Following this event, specialized courses will be organized to train medical practitioners on trafficking prevention, pre-identification and further referral of victims.