Russian military will continue attacks on Ukraine’s health system in 2023
GENEVA – The Health Protection in Conflict Coalition (SHCC) has published a report ( English and Ukrainian) recorded 394 cases of violence against and obstruction of medical care in Ukraine in 2023. The conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has been almost One-fifth of the territory of Ukraine The occupation has caused extensive damage to civilian and energy infrastructure. More than 12 million Ukrainians Energy DisruptionThe humanitarian crisis was exacerbated by severe floods in June 2023, affecting more than 60,000 people. Around 40% of Ukraine’s population Estimation Humanitarian assistance will be needed in 2024.
In 2023, Ukrainian healthcare continued to come under attack by Russian Federation forces. Many incidents saw medical facilities hit multiple times, notably Berislav Central District Hospital, which was hit six times. The number of medical deaths increased in 2023, with many military doctors killed on the front line. Russian forces continued to convert medical facilities into military hospitals and for non-medical purposes in temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine, forcing patients and staff to leave.
Attacks by explosive-laden drones are increasingly impacting healthcare. While most incidents do not document the company that manufactured these drones, in at least one case an Iranian-made Shahed-136 drone damaged the Kherson Regional Psychiatric Hospital and injured a doctor attempting to evacuate patients from the facility to an air raid shelter.
“As this war rages, we are seeing the impact that a protracted conflict has on our healthcare system and the health of our people. For Russia, it’s no longer just about damaging Ukrainian hospitals, but about controlling our people by depriving them of basic rights like access to healthcare, especially in the Russian-occupied territories, where critical medical services and medicines are lacking. Anyone without a Russian passport will be denied entry.“Furthermore, attacks on critical energy infrastructure are designed to sow fear that could limit the functioning of health systems. These patterns of violence must be investigated through prosecutorial and accountability mechanisms.” Uliana Poltavets, Emergency Response Coordinator for Ukraine, Physicians for Human Rights
of data In this report Edited This information is derived from public sources and partner contributions on the dates and locations of incidents of violence and obstruction of health care in 2023, and is based on the WHO definition of attacks on health care. methodologyThere are slight differences between the SHCC figures and other reports. Explore the incident visually at this interactive site. map Available in English and Ukrainian.
In 2023, Ukraine’s medical provision was severely undermined, especially in the Russian-occupied territories and in the eastern regions, closer to the front line of the fighting. In Donetsk Oblast, One-third of healthcare facilities A third were not functioning and the remaining third were only partially functioning due to insecurity and damage, exacerbating already existing barriers to access to health care in Russian-occupied Crimea. Early 2014Civilians who did not have Russian citizenship were barred from receiving medical treatment or having access to medicines. Deployed They demanded that the Ukrainian doctors be replaced, but differences in practice were causing professional and psychological problems.
In unoccupied Ukraine, most medical facilities Function maintainedThanks high quality Pre-invasion health system and Fast repairsHowever, economic barriers include Rising drug prices State budget cuts have hindered access to treatment. investigation It found that cost was the main barrier for one in 10 people living in frontline areas.
In particular, specialized medical services for cancer Confused A lack of equipment and personnel is likely to lead to long-term health damage. The overall damage to medical facilities since the start of the invasion is Estimation As of September 1, 2023, it stands at $2.9 billion, highlighting the significant investments needed to restore and improve Ukraine’s health care system.
The report’s recommendations include:
- The International Criminal Court and national courts should finally begin prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity, including attacks on the wounded and sick and on medical facilities, based on the principle of universal jurisdiction.
- Governments should halt arms transfers to parties to conflicts committing serious violations of international humanitarian law.
- Ministers of Health should engage with their country’s armed forces, security forces and armed groups to strengthen mechanisms to protect health care from violence and mitigate the impact of attacks on communities, health workers and health systems.
- Regional organizations and the UN humanitarian cluster system should scale up efforts to protect health care in conflict situations and mitigate the impact of violence on health care.
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Media Contact: Tim Bishop
Report Link:
Japanese: https://shcc.pub/UKR2023UK: https://shcc.pub/UKR2023UK
press release: https://shcc.pub/2023UKRPressRelease
