Jenewa, The Indonesia Post – The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday revealed that attacks on hospitals, ambulances and other health facilities in Ukraine have intensified in recent days.
The WHO has also warned that Ukraine is now experiencing a crisis of vital medical supplies.
On Monday, the WHO confirmed at least nine people had died in 16 attacks on health facilities since Russia’s February 24 invasion. It did not say who was responsible.
WHO’s senior emergency official for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, told a news conference that the figure included incidents in which ambulances were seized for purposes other than emergency health services.
“We will continue to update the data. The number has increased rapidly over the past few days,” he said.
WHO is seeking immediate medical supplies to Ukraine, where oxygen, insulin, personal protective equipment (PPE), surgical supplies and blood products are running low, WHO director for Europe Hans Kluge told a news briefing.
Oxygen supply, childhood vaccines and mental health facilities are also WHO’s top priorities for the region, he said.
Kluge also emphasized the need to prioritize women’s health needs such as maternal health and emergency obstetric care and the need to respond to sexual and gender based violence.
“Past conflicts have shown us that young women, people with disabilities and elderly women are in the most vulnerable situations.
“They face a grave threat of suffering attacks from outsiders and armed groups as well as intimate partner violence and sexual harassment and exploitation,” Kluge said. (mhn/bbs)
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