The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded more than 100 attacks on health care facilities in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion on Feb. 24.
The organization said in a statement that the attacks had resulted in 73 deaths and 51 injuries. Most of the attacks were on health care facilities, while 13 affected transportation of the sick and wounded, including ambulances, the statement said.
Of a total of 103 attacks, 89 have impacted health facilities and 13 have impacted transport, including ambulances, according to the WHO.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director-general, said the organization was “outraged that attacks on health care are continuing” and that attacking health care was a violation of international humanitarian law.
“Peace is the only way forward,” he said. “I again call on the Russian Federation to stop the war.”
The WHO said Ukraine’s health care system would suffer long-term consequences from the attacks, and that such attacks were “a major blow” to the country’s progress on health reform and realizing universal health coverage.
In some cases, Ukrainians have been forced to leave the country in order to receive medical treatment. More than 300 children with cancer and their parents have been evacuated to clinics in Europe, Canada and the United States, according to the Ukrainian government.
The organization said in a statement that the attacks had resulted in 73 deaths and 51 injuries. Most of the attacks were on health care facilities, while 13 affected transportation of the sick and wounded, including ambulances, the statement said.
Of a total of 103 attacks, 89 have impacted health facilities and 13 have impacted transport, including ambulances, according to the WHO.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director-general, said the organization was “outraged that attacks on health care are continuing” and that attacking health care was a violation of international humanitarian law.
“Peace is the only way forward,” he said. “I again call on the Russian Federation to stop the war.”
The WHO said Ukraine’s health care system would suffer long-term consequences from the attacks, and that such attacks were “a major blow” to the country’s progress on health reform and realizing universal health coverage.
In some cases, Ukrainians have been forced to leave the country in order to receive medical treatment. More than 300 children with cancer and their parents have been evacuated to clinics in Europe, Canada and the United States, according to the Ukrainian government.
