Ukraine’s health system ‘engulfed’ amid attacks on 18 hospitals and clinics
The conditions are ripe for a surge in infectious diseases, the WHO warns
The WHO says it has verified 18 Russian attacks on Ukraine hospitals, ambulances and health staff and is warning that the country’s health system is being engulfed by the crisis, with infectious disease set to “rip through” the population.
It comes amid news reports this morning of an airstrike on a maternity and children’s hospital in the port city of Mariupol, wounding 17 people, including women in labour.
The WHO says there are around 1000 clinics or hospitals either on or within 10km of the front lines.
“The frontline workers in the Ukraine are exceptionally brave, and they are saving lives,” said Dr Michael Ryan, executive director of health emergencies program.
