WHO confirms 108 attacks on healthcare, 73 staff deaths in Ukraine

The World Health Organisation says it has recorded a total of 108 attacks on health care in Ukraine since the war started on February 24.

The WHO revealed that the attacks have claimed 73 lives, injured 51 persons and negatively impacted health facilities, transport and ambulances.

This was disclosed by the WHO Europe Spokesperson, Bhanu Bhatnagar, at the United Nations Geneva bi-weekly press briefing.

He said the global health body strongly condemned all attacks on healthcare, noting that it not only deprived people of vital health services but are also a violation of international humanitarian law

According to Bhatnagar, “As of yesterday, April 11, WHO has verified 108 incidents of attacks on health care in Ukraine.  This could be attacks on health facilities, personnel, transport, supplies, and warehouses.

“At least 73 people have died and 51 have been injured in the attacks.  We continue to condemn in the strongest possible terms all attacks on healthcare, which not only deprive people of vital health services, but are also a violation of international humanitarian law.

“Roughly 300 health facilities are in conflict areas and 1,000 health facilities are in changed areas of control, which leaves the health system vulnerable to infrastructural damage and severe disruptions in critical services.

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“This means there is limited or no access to medicines, health facilities, and health-care workers in some areas.”

He further noted that the healthcare system in the country has become vulnerable to infrastructural damages due to the attacks.

In spite of the attacks, WHO said it has pledged to provide 15 generators and 20 ambulances to the country to reach victims of attacks in various areas within Ukraine.

They are also assisting Ukraine’s Ministry of Health to set up field hospitals.

Bhatnagar said, “We are helping the Ministry of Health – through our Emergency Medical Teams – set up field hospitals where health infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed and are delivering a concept paper to provide guidance on how best to do this in a conflict setting.

“We are also working with national and international partners to establish mobile clinics that can provide basic primary healthcare services.  We are working to figure out where exactly these mobile clinics will operate.”

The WHO further revealed that it had delivered 216 metric tonnes of emergency and medical supplies and equipment to Ukraine since the start of the war.