Praying for International Friendship and Peace

The conflict in West Asia has affected everyday life in various parts of the world to different degrees. It has induced fear and uncertainty. While war represents a profound loss for society as a whole, its impact extends into many fields of medicine—including clinical radiology.

Travel by medical professionals such as radiologists or students to different countries for work and training can become a challenge. Certifications, interviews, and paperwork may be disrupted. Teleradiology offers a win-win situation for patients and doctors, and online webinars as well as emerging remotely performed robotic procedures may help address training needs. However, at times, travel is essential—whether for elective or emergency reasons.

Radiology departments are inherently equipment-intensive, requiring substantial investment for both establishment and ongoing maintenance. Imaging systems are highly specialized, and their production, installation, and maintenance depend on complex supply chains and dedicated technical support, which could potentially be affected in different regions due to the war, thereby compromising patient care. Qatar is a major supplier of Helium—an essential gas needed for magnetic resonance imaging machines whose supply is affected by the blockage of the Strait of Hormutz.[1]

Radiology, like much of modern medicine, has advanced significantly through international collaboration. Such partnerships in professional associations enable the exchange of knowledge across geographical boundaries, promoting research and advancements in medical practice. In many instances, neighboring countries share similar disease patterns and medical guidelines, making collaboration particularly valuable for advancing patient care. While the principles of the Hippocratic Oath—autonomy, privacy, a whole-person approach, humility, preventive care, avoiding overtreatment, and social responsibility—remain guiding principles, global conflicts can strain or even break the professional and personal networks that connect physicians across nations.[2] Charak Shapath is in similar lines.[3] This presents a serious practical challenge, especially when international medical organizations have office bearers from different countries with different political alignments. Even longstanding academic exchanges can be affected. The postponement or cancellation of international medical conferences, sometimes at very short notice, has become a reality in times of geopolitical tension.

When global crises such as the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic struck, humanity had little choice but to endure and adapt. At a time when many systems are still recovering, we really cannot afford another major global setback like war. Resources across the world are limited—even for wealthy nations—and their responsible use is essential.

We hope that political leaders will find solutions through discussion and cooperation. Even if, as individuals and professional communities, we may be small on the international stage, we can still call out in support of peace, understanding, and friendship. As doctors, we should be in a position to have a secular standard focusing on the patient's well-being without any type of discrimination.

A reminder of this sentiment comes from Mahatma Gandhi, who believed that peace is an active, ongoing process. His words remain profoundly relevant: “There is no path to peace. Peace is the path.”

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

• References

• 1 Accessed March 18, 2026 at: https://www.zawya.com/en/business/commodities/helium-prices-soar-as-qatar-lng-halt-exposes-fragile-supply-chain-p45jv5ph
• 2 Hippocratic OMV. . Accessed March 18, 2026 at: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_modern.html
• 3 Shapath C. . Accessed March 18, 2026 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charaka_shapath

Publication History

Article published online:
25 March 2026