3 June 2022 News release Reading time: 3 min (682 words)
After 100 days of war, Ukraine’s health system is under
severe pressure and the World Health Organization (WHO) has increased its
presence, both in Ukraine and in those countries hosting displaced Ukrainians,
to help meet the escalating health needs.
“This war has gone on for 100 days
too many, shattering lives and communities, and imperilling the short- and
long-term health of Ukraine’s people,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO
Director-General. “WHO is doing everything we can to support Ukraine’s Ministry
of Health and deliver essential medical supplies and equipment. But the one
medicine that Ukraine needs most is the one that WHO can’t deliver – peace. We
call on the Russian Federation to end the war.”
The war has increased the need for health care while
reducing the system’s ability to provide services, particularly in areas of
active conflict. As of 2 June, there have been 269 verified attacks on health,
killing at least 76 people and injuring 59.
“In 100 days of war, there have been
over 260 verified attacks on health care in Ukraine. These attacks are not
justifiable, they are never okay, and they must be investigated. No health
professional should have to deliver health care on a knife edge, but this is
just what nurses, doctors, ambulance drivers, the medical teams in Ukraine are
doing,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
“I have been privileged to meet many
health workers during two visits to Ukraine since the war began. They are
keeping vital services and hope alive in the face of unbelievable sorrow and
suffering, and we salute them,” he added.
Some health facilities have been destroyed, while others
have been overwhelmed by people seeking care for trauma and injuries resulting
directly from the war. WHO has established hubs in areas close to the conflict,
such as Dnipro, to rapidly reach the areas of greatest need.
“WHO is committed to being in
Ukraine both now and in the longer term – addressing immediate health
challenges and supporting reconstruction of the heath system. We are
redeploying teams throughout the country as access and security improves,” said
Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine. “Health-mental and physical-
must be at the centre of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction plans”.
To achieve this, WHO has launched an updated appeal for US$
147.5 million, to support Ukraine’s worsening humanitarian need, provide
immediate healthcare delivery and help the health system stay resilient for the
longer term. Of this total, US$ 80 million is needed for in-country support,
such as distributing medicines and delivering vital healthcare services and a
further US$ 67.5 million is required to assist refugee-receiving and hosting
countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Moldova and Romania.
The war has caused a massive increase in psychological harm
and distress. Throughout the country, health care professionals report that the
most common request now is help to deal with sleeplessness, anxiety, grief and
psychological pain. WHO is working with
the office of Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine, to develop a nationwide
mental health programme accessible by all.
WHO has responded to the changed health needs in Ukraine by
increasing numbers of staff and repurposing systems including our logistics
system. This has enabled delivery of over 543 metric tonnes of medical supplies
and equipment to the country which are being distributed mostly in the east,
south and northern oblasts where need is currently greatest. Supplies provided
include trauma surgery supplies, ambulances, Ukrainian-made ventilators able to
continue function even when power fails, electric generators and oxygen
equipment including building oxygen plants to help hospitals function
autonomously.
Another major need is training to deal with the effects of
war – trauma surgery, mass casualties, burns and chemical exposure. Since 24
February, WHO has trained more than 1300 healthcare workers on those topics.
Along with this, WHO has been working with the Ukraine
Public Health Centre to strengthen disease surveillance and laboratory
diagnostics, and with local authorities to build back vaccination programmes
and essential health services. To complement the health system, WHO is working
with over 40 Emergency Medical Teams as well.
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