Ukraine has now suffered more than a thousand attacks on health care facilities, the World Health Organization has announced.
Attacks have taken at least 101 lives of health workers and patients, WHO said, warning of a “grim milestone” in the 15 months since the Russian invasion.
WHO reports that 896 attacks have affected facilities and 121 had affected transport. 290 have affected supplies and warehouses.
However, it said, a high proportion of facilities in the worst affected areas, such as Kherson and Donetsk, remain functional and accessible – even if they have suffered damage and cannot operate fully.
Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine, said: “These attacks threaten the safety and well-being of health workers and undermine care for people living close to conflict areas. Attacks on health care are a violation of international humanitarian law. They deprive people of the care they need and have wide-ranging, long-term consequences.
“The fact that the health system in Ukraine continues to operate amid such circumstances is a testament to the heroic dedication of healthcare workers.
“Despite the challenges posed first by the COVID-19 pandemic and now well over a year of war, Ukraine’s healthcare workers remain amazingly strong, brave, and patient, day after day, saving lives and providing care to those in need. We stand in solidarity with them and all those working to ensure that everyone in Ukraine has access to the healthcare they need.”
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