WHERE: Attacks on Ukrainian hospitals and ambulances escalate

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that attacks on hospitals, ambulances and other health facilities in Ukraine have increased rapidly in recent days and warned that the country is running out of vital medical supplies.

The United Nations has confirmed that at least nine people have been killed in 16 attacks on medical facilities since the Russian-led invasion began on February 24. He did not say who was responsible for their deaths.

Kathryn Smallwood, a senior WHO official for emergency management in Europe, told reporters that the report included incidents in which ambulances had been called in for reasons other than emergency medical care.

“We will continue to update these numbers. They are growing quite rapidly over the last few days,” Smallwood said.

The agency is working to provide immediate medical supplies to Ukraine, where supplies of oxygen, insulin, personal protective equipment as well as surgical supplies and blood products are being depleted, WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge told RFE / RL.

The provision of oxygen, childhood vaccines and mental health expertise are among the WHO’s top priorities for the region, he said.

Klouge also stressed the need to prioritize women’s health needs, such as maternal health and emergency gynecological care, as well as to address incidents of sexual and gender-based violence.

“The conflicts of the past have shown us that teenagers, women with disabilities and older women are in the most vulnerable position.”

“They are at increased risk of being attacked by people outside the home and by armed groups, as well as violence from their partners, sexual abuse and exploitation,” Kluge said.

SOURCE: AMPE