Article 33 is the centrepiece of the regime for the retention ofmilitary medical and religious personnel (covered by Article 24 of theFirst Convention) and staff of voluntary aid societies employed on thesame duties (covered by Article 26 of the First Convention) ininternational armed conflicts. Article 33 needs to be read together withArticles 28, 30 and 31 of the First Convention, where retention based onArticle 28 is contemplated as an exception to the rule, set out inArticle 30, requiring the return of such personnel to the Party to theconflict to which they belong. The special treatment to which qualifyingpersonnel are entitled under this provision is designed to ensure thatprisoners of war receive the necessary medical and spiritual care. Theparts of Article 33 pertaining to the status, treatment and facilitiesdue to retained medical personnel and chaplains appear almost word forword in Article 28 of the First Convention.