Russia launches over 1,600 attacks on Ukrainian medical institutions - WHO

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia has launched 1,682 attacks on medical facilities in Ukraine, which have been confirmed by the World Health Organization. They resulted in 128 deaths and 288 injuries of medical staff and patients

This is reported by the WHO.

The article states that ambulance workers and other medical transport personnel are three times more likely to be injured or killed than other people working in the healthcare sector.

The WHO has confirmed 68 attacks since the beginning of 2024, 12 of which were directed by Russia at emergency medical services. Ambulances were damaged in 7 attacks. Of the 12 attacks, 3 resulted in the injury and death of two medical workers. According to the WHO, this represents a number of casualties almost 3 times higher than in other health services during the same period.

In January and March of this year, Russian attacks were recorded almost daily, mostly with the use of heavy weapons.

“This grim number underscores the pressure on the Ukrainian health-care system,” stated Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine. “WHO urgently reiterates its calls for the protection of health-care workers and patients, as well as the uninterrupted delivery of essential health services

• On January 31, Ukraine told the WHO that Russian armed aggression has a critical impact on the mental health of Ukrainians: most citizens need psychosocial support.