The World Health Organization (WHO), Thursday said it is deeply concerned for the health of the people of Ukraine in the escalating crisis.
In the early hours of Thursday, Russia had invaded Ukraine with heavy bombardments leading to casualties, paralysing socioeconomic activities in Ukraine as people scamper looking for safety.
But the WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, while expressing concern over escalating health crisis in Ukraine, maintained in a statement that the health system must continue to function to deliver essential care to people for all health issues, from COVID-19 to cancer, diabetes and tuberculosis, to mental health issues, especially for vulnerable groups such as older persons and migrants.
According to him, “Maximum care must be taken by all parties to ensure that health facilities, workers, patients, transport, and supplies are not targeted. As part of WHO’s role to document attacks on health, we will continue to monitor and report such incidents.
“I also call for sustained and safe access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
“WHO has for decades worked closely with health authorities across Ukraine. We have a deep knowledge of the capacities and needs of the country’s health system.
“Today I released a further US$3.5 million from WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) to purchase and deliver urgent medical supplies.
“This humanitarian health support is expected to rise following further needs assessments. This new support complements the trauma and medical supplies which we prepositioned in health facilities.
“We will continue to deliver care and support the people across Ukraine affected by this crisis.”
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