The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 1,682 attacks on the medical system of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, which led to 128 deaths and 288 injuries to medical personnel and patients.
This was reported in a press release of the organization, reports Ukrinform.
WHO noted that ambulance workers and other medical transport personnel have three times the risk of death or injury than other healthcare workers.
“Many emergency teams come under fire either on the way to a call or at their bases. Four of our employees have already died, 12 people were injured and were hospitalized, – said the head of the Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine of the Kherson Regional State Administration Galina Saldan.
It is noted that of the 68 attacks confirmed by WHO during the first quarter of 2024, 12 (almost 20%) were aimed at emergency medical services, including nine attacks on emergency medical facilities. Seven of these attacks resulted in damage to emergency vehicles. In three of these 12 attacks, four health workers were injured and two more were killed, representing a casualty rate almost triple that of other health services during the same period.
In a press release WHO notes that in the first months of 2024, the number of attacks began to increase: in January and March, attacks were recorded almost daily, mainly using heavy weapons.
«These terrible data highlight the pressure on the Ukrainian healthcare system. WHO reiterates its call for the protection of health workers and patients, as well as the uninterrupted delivery of essential health services, – said WHO representative in Ukraine Jarno Habicht.
As Ukrinform reported, last May the World Health Organization recorded the thousandth attack on the Ukrainian healthcare system during a full-scale war.
