Attacks on Ukrainian hospitals, ambulances increasing rapidly, WHO warns

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday, March 8, that attacks on hospitals, ambulances and other healthcare facilities in Ukraine have increased rapidly in recent days and warned the country is running short of vital medical supplies.

The UN agency on Monday confirmed at least nine people had died in 16 attacks on health care facilities since the start of a Russian invasion on February 24. It did not say who was responsible.

The WHO’s senior emergency officer for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, told a news briefing that the tally included incidents where ambulances had been commandeered for purposes other than emergency healthcare.

“We will continue to update those numbers. They’ve been increasing quite rapidly over the past few days,” Smallwood said.

The agency was working to rapidly provide medical supplies to Ukraine, where oxygen, insulin, personal protective equipment, surgical supplies and blood products are running low, Europe regional director Hans Kluge said at the briefing.

The supply of oxygen, children’s vaccines and mental health expertise were among the WHO’s top priorities for the region, he said.

Kluge also stressed the need to prioritize the health needs of women, including maternal health and emergency obstetric care, and to respond to sexual and gender based violence.

“Past conflicts have shown us that adolescent girls, women with disabilities and elderly women are in the most vulnerable situation.

“They face an increased risk of suffering attacks by people outside the home and by armed groups as well as intimate partner violence and sexual abuse and exploitation,” said Kluge.