Health
By Kennedy Nnamani
THE World Health Organization, WHO, today announced that the war in Ukraine has put the country’s health system under severe pressure.
In the statement to mark the 100th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, lamented that the war has shattered lives and communities, and imperiled the short- and long-term health of Ukraine’s people.
The organisation also noted that the war has increased the need for healthcare while reducing the system’s ability to provide services, particularly in areas of active conflict. It lamented that the war has caused a massive increase in psychological harm and distress.
“Throughout the country, healthcare professionals report that the most common request now is help to deal with sleeplessness, anxiety, grief and psychological pain.
Some health facilities have been destroyed, while others have been overwhelmed by people seeking care for trauma and injuries resulting directly from the war,” it said.
According to Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, there have been about 269 verified attacks on health facilities, killing at least 76 people and injuring 59.
He said that “these attacks are not justifiable, they are never ok, and they must be investigated.”
He further noted that “no health professional should have to deliver healthcare on a knife edge, but this is just what nurses, doctors, ambulance drivers, the medical teams in Ukraine are doing.”
Meanwhile, the world health body assured of its commitment to support Ukraine’s Ministry of Health to deliver essential medical supplies and equipment to meet the health challenge in both Ukraine and those countries hosting displaced Ukrainians, to help meet the escalating health needs.
“WHO is working with the office of Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine to develop a nationwide mental health programme accessible by all,” it said.
Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine in his words, promised that “WHO is committed to being in Ukraine both now and in the longer term – addressing immediate health challenges and supporting reconstruction of the health system.”
While disclosing its plans and achievements, the WHO noted that it has “launched an updated appeal for $147.5 million to support Ukraine’s worsening humanitarian need, provide immediate healthcare delivery and help the health system stay resilient for the longer term” of which “$80 million goes for in-country support and a further $67.5m to assist refugee-receiving and hosting countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Moldova and Romania.”
It further said that it had increased numbers of staff and repurposing systems , including our logistics system which has enabled delivery of over 543 metric tonnes of medical supplies and equipment to the country which are being distributed mostly in the east, south and northern oblasts where need is currently greatest.
The statement also disclosed that WHO is working with over 40 Emergency Medical Teams to complement the health system in the country.
“WHO has been working with the Ukraine Public Health Centre to strengthen disease surveillance and laboratory diagnostics, and with local authorities to build back vaccination programmes and essential health services,” it said.
KN
Tags: Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge Dr Jarno Habicht Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Kennedy Nnamani Olena Zelenska WHO
