International humanitarian obligations regarding the provision of medical care and the protection of medical personnel in armed conflicts and emergencies

The article examines the international humanitarian obligations regarding the provision of medical care and the protection of medical personnel in armed conflicts and emergencies. It analyzes the international humanitarian obligations of states and other actors to ensure the accessibility, continuity, and ethical nature of medical care in conditions of armed conflict and emergencies. The content of the main international legal instruments is revealed, primarily the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, which define the standards for the protection of the wounded and sick, the status and security guarantees of medical personnel, as well as the rules for the functioning of medical facilities and medical transport. An overview is provided of the official International Committee of the Red Cross commentaries, WHO documents, INSARAG recommendations, and other international guidance materials that regulate the organization of medical evacuation, medical triage, principles of response to mass-casualty incidents, and the requirements for emergency medical response teams. Particular attention is paid to the factors that influence the actual implementation of international humanitarian norms: extreme conditions of hostilities, overburdened medical systems, logistical constraints, risks of attacks on medical facilities, and obstruction of evacuation. The article analyzes how the doctrine of “best possible under the circumstances” and the principle of maximizing survival benefit determine the process of medical decision-making in situations of limited resources. It is emphasized that medical triage must be carried out exclusively according to criteria of medical necessity and likelihood of survival, without discrimination on any grounds. The study underscores the inseparable link between the norms of International Humanitarian Law, international ethical principles established by the World Medical Association, and global disaster- response standards. Together, they form a coherent system that defines the minimum acceptable standards for the actions of medical services and ensures legal protection for medical personnel acting in good faith and within the limits of available capabilities. The article demonstrates that even under conditions of high-intensity hostilities or large-scale emergencies, states are obligated to ensure the maximum possible level of medical care and the safety of both patients and healthcare employers.