Ukrainian hospitals attacked as health system ‘engulfed’ by Russia conflict: WHO

There are 1,000 health-care facilities within 10 km of the frontline in Ukraine, and recent attacks on them have resulted in 10 deaths and 16 injuries, the WHO said.

Ukraine’s health system is becoming “engulfed” in Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the World Health Organization is warning, with 18 verified attacks on health-care facilities, workers and ambulances to date.

Those attacks resulted in 10 deaths and 16 injuries, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.

Russia continues its relentless bombardment of Ukraine, racking up casualties on both sides of the conflict.

There are approximately 1,000 health facilities of different sizes that are within 10 kilometres of the frontline, said Dr. Michael Ryan, the executive director of the WHO’s health emergencies programme said.

“The health system is becoming engulfed in this conflict,” Ryan said.

“It is the violence and it is the conflict that is driving this health crisis — and this health crisis will not stop. It will only get worse unless we have a ceasefire, unless we have peace…this is putting bandages on mortal wounds right now.”

Ukraine’s health-care system is facing a number of challenges as a direct result of the conflict, Ryan said.

While the WHO said Wednesday that it has sent 81 metric tonnes of supplies to Ukraine, Ryan warned that if hospitals can’t turn the lights on, using those supplies becomes a challenge.