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Health of a Hostage

It could be said that the value of human life has diminished in the eyes of many. From the events in Gaza to the recent high-ransom-demanding kidnappings in northern Nigeria, humans are held hostage, their lives deemed expendable in the pursuit of demands.

While discussions abound regarding these incidents, an often-overlooked aspect is the profound impact on the health of victims, both during and after their release. Victims suffer, not just physically, but also mentally finding it hard to return to their normal lives, if they survive.

Health conditions during captivity depend on the captors’ “hospitality” and the victim’s ability to adapt to harsh situations. The range is broad, from humane treatment that preserves basic dignity to the harshest realities of beatings, rape, or mass murder in the presence of fellow hostages.

Health issues would begin with poor diets, exposing victims to suffer from nutrition disorders made worse by lack of exercise and hard physical demands like corporal punishment. These are compounded by harsh living condtions including mosquito-infested surroundings, unsanitary makeshift toilets, exposure to extreme temperartures, and more. Yet, these all become more daunting without access to at least basic medical care.

Women, in particular, face the most extreme circumstances- treated subhumanly, subjected to repeated rape, and if held long enough, forced to bear children. The implications extend beyond nutrition and unsanitary conditions, with heightened vulnerability to STDs and reproductive tract diseases.

Mental issues and trauma go hand in hand, causing issues with post-captivity adjustments in society. And they cannot be overemphasized. The effects of the event take a toll on not only the victims but also their families and others around them. Anxiety, night terrors, depression, hyper-vigilance, cognitive problems, and withdrawal, are just a few of the many problems that arise. All these get worse if they are victimized or stigmatized.

While some or all of these effects can be overcome with appropriate measures, the challenge lies in ensuring survivors do receive the needed care. While inadequate security and prevention against kidnappings are separate issues to be discussed, the health aspect is equally important for as much as the struggle for the release of hostages drains financial resources, and survival as a hostage drains the soul.