Thousands of chronic disease patients die in Ukraine
WHO says few hospitals are functioning due to the Russian invasion leaving many without access to life-saving healthcare
At least 3000 people have died in Ukraine because they have been unable to access treatments for chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS and cancer, according to the WHO.
The global health agency has documented some 200 attacks on the country’s healthcare facilities, and few hospitals are currently functioning.
The data were presented by WHO Europe Regional Director Hans Kluge at a meeting attended by 53 member states on Tuesday.
“Forty per cent of households have at least one member in need of chronic treatment that they can no longer find, resulting in an estimated at least 3000 premature avoidable deaths,” he said in a speech.
