Published on: 2026-05-08
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
During the 1534 days of the war, Ukraine’s healthcare system was subjected to multiple strikes. During this period, the World Health Organization (WHO), through its monitoring system, confirmed more than 3000 incidents.
According to WHO, patients and healthcare workers are constantly at risk. The scale and frequency of attacks undermine the process of providing assistance to the population. According to international humanitarian law, the wounded and sick, medical personnel, medical facilities, and medical transport must be protected. Countries are obliged to take all possible precautionary measures to protect civilians and civilian objects and to ensure the rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need, as emphasized by WHO.
Attacks affected every link in Ukraine’s healthcare system: from primary medical and sanitary care centers and maternity hospitals to ambulance brigades and pharmaceutical warehouses. Most of all, inpatient facilities suffered: about 80 percent of the strikes hit polyclinics, hospitals, and other medical institutions.
“Every such attack is a violation of international humanitarian law. Each of them is a patient who did not receive help, a medic who found themselves in danger, or an entire community left without medical services,” said Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO European Regional Office.
“This must not become the norm. Within the framework of international humanitarian law, the healthcare sector is protected during injuries. This is not just a recommendation or a wish, but an obligation with mandatory legal force for all parties of any conflict. WHO will continue to document every attack and advocate for the protection of medical workers in Ukraine,” he added.
Medical transport under attack
Medical transport remains one of the most vulnerable elements of the wound care system. About 20 percent of registered attacks targeted ambulances and other transport vehicles. Almost every third such incident leads to injuries or deaths, which makes working in medical transport one of the most dangerous.
“Since the beginning of this year alone, WHO has confirmed 186 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in 15 deaths and at least 81 injuries, and these numbers continue to grow. Compared to the same period in 2025, the number of deaths has increased almost fourfold, and injuries nearly doubled. Due to this trend, medical workers are exposed to increased risk, and those who need constant care are deprived of it,” noted WHO representative in Ukraine Yarno Habicht.
He added that within the framework of the system for tracking attacks on medical institutions, WHO records the consequences of attacks in order to globally advocate for the observance of international humanitarian law and the protection of medicine. This work is carried out in accordance withResolution 2286 of the UN Security CouncilиResolution 65.20 of the World Health Assembly, who condemn attacks on medical facilities and call for measures to prevent violence and ensure accountability.
Growth in demand for medical care
The destruction of medical infrastructure significantly limits the capabilities of medical personnel, forcing humanitarian organizations to constantly adapt their operations to current conditions. The situation is complicated by growing needs: according to UN data, 9.2 million Ukrainians require medical support. The number of civilian casualties has increased by approximately 31 percent compared to last year.
“According to the latest estimates, restoring the healthcare sector will require 23.6 billion dollars over the next 10 years. At the same time, we are doing everything possible to ensure that patients have access to the necessary assistance. We are grateful to the WHO and all our partners for the systemic support that helps restore and strengthen the healthcare system in these extremely difficult conditions,” emphasized Ukraine’s Minister of Healthcare Viktor Lyashko.
Support from VOZ
Strengthening Ukraine’s healthcare system remains the guarantee that millions of people will be able to receive the necessary services.
Last year alone, WHO provided access to essential medical services for 1.9 million Ukrainians, supplied medicines and equipment to nearly 1,000 medical facilities, and supported the medical evacuation of 6,400 patients abroad.
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