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Highlights
- The continued Russia-Ukraine war for over a month now has put a severe strain on the Ukrainian healthcare system
- From 24 February to 29 March, the UN has recorded 3,090 civilian casualties with 1,189 deaths.
- World Health Organization has warned against the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
One month of the continued war has pushed Ukraine's health system to the edge. It has led to limited access to resources and has created an urgent need to treat traumatic injuries and chronic conditions. Disruptions in the medical supply chain further worsen the condition posing a grave threat to the millions of Ukrainian citizens.
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Severe strain on health system
With millions of people fleeing the war, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
The tally of people fleeing to neighboring countries has reached nearly four million, and about seven million people are internally displaced.
Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) also suggests that one out of three internally displaced people suffers from a chronic condition.
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Approximately half of Ukraine's pharmacies are supposed to be closed. Nearly one thousand health facilities are close to conflict lines or are in changed areas of control. This has resulted in limited or no access to medicines, facilities, and health professionals.
Over 3,090 civilian casualties have been recorded in the country between 24 February and 29 March 2022, as per the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). This includes 1,189 deaths.
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Image source: © Palinchak | Megapixl.com
How is WHO helping?
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and authorities to identify gaps and needs in the national health system - and respond quickly. The WHO team is working continuously to obtain the necessary medical supplies in Ukraine.
It has sent over 100 tons of medical equipment to health facilities throughout Ukraine.
More than 20 emergency teams have also been deployed in Ukraine, Poland, and the Republic of Moldova to augment existing services with specialised medical training and care.
According to media reports, many medical professionals and volunteers from Ukraine and abroad have been working in challenging conditions to keep the country's health system afloat since the conflict began in February. Several volunteers are fetching medical supplies from the UK to Ukraine. They have transported trauma kits, oxygen regulators and ultrasound machines to hospitals in Kyiv and other cities.
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