Emergency funding is equipping Ukrainian hospitals with generators for their bomb shelters, it has been revealed amid new calls for health facilities to be protected.
The World Health Organization yesterday released another 3.5 million dollars for medical aid for the besieged country whose Russian invaders were yesterday condemned in an overwhelming vote of United Nations members.
It said it was still seeking ways to get oxygen supplies to the country’s hospitals amid critical shortages.
Managers at the small Novovolynsk Hospital, Western Ukraine, revealed how generators have become essential war preparation in a region still relatively unscathed by the Russian onslaught.
Speaking to the WHO’s European region, hospital head Oleh Shypelyk said: “In one day, the air raid sirens went off at 5 separate times. Our patients are mostly the elderly and some are on crutches and facing acute health needs. They cannot keep travelling down to the bunker.
“The main needs are additional generators to ensure electricity supply to the ward with COVID-19 patients – they should stay separate from others – and to the maternity hospital, as women have to give birth regardless of whether there is a war or COVID-19.
“We also need to provide at least 2 generators to the shelter, because in case of bombing, we will not be able to transfer all equipment to the shelter. We also need additional surgical equipment. If hospitals are to be shelled, we must be prepared for that.”
WHO Ukraine representative Dr Jarno Habicht said: “Health workers must be protected in order to continue to save lives. Similarly, health facilities must be protected and remain functional, safe and accessible to all who need essential medical services.”
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