PHR: 20 Years

Award Recipients

Dr. Khassan Baiev

2006 PHR Health and Human Rights Award Recipient

In April 2000, when Chechnya was in the throes of its second war in a decade, Dr. Khassan Baiev learned that Russian forces were pursuing him for treating a Chechen rebel for injuries incurred in battle. Despite threats of imprisonment and execution, Dr. Baiev continued to treat the sick and injured, without discrimination and under extremely adverse conditions, until he was forced to flee. PHR invited Dr. Baiev to the United States and helped him gain political asylum. A model of commitment to the Hippocratic oath and codes of medical neutrality, Dr. Baiev is the author of the book, "The Oath: A Surgeon Under Fire."

Since his arrival in the US, Dr. Baiev has become an outspoken advocate for human rights, focusing his efforts on the International Committee for the Children of Chechnya. He looks forward to returning to his homeland to help rebuild the shattered health infrastructure of Chechnya when it is safe to do so.