In recent years, Ukraine has become a major battlefield in the fight to protect access to health care, with attacks on the country’s healthcare system happening on an almost weekly basis. This type of attack has become so commonplace that it’s now seen as a turning point for the global health care industry. This article will explore the current state of health care in Ukraine and how this nation has become a target for attacks on health care workers and facilities.
Background of Health Care in Ukraine
Health care in Ukraine has gone through a number of transformation over the past two decades. Prior to the 1989 fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine was a part of that integrated healthcare system. Medical care throughout the nation varied widely, however, and in the transition to independence, the nation saw its healthcare system decimated due to lack of personnel, facilities and resources.
Since then, Ukraine has been slowly building its healthcare system, increasing both the number of doctors and health facilities available. The country now has one of the oldest and largest public healthcare systems in the world. In the 2014 World Health Organization report, the nation was one of only four countries in the Eastern European region to exceed the average life expectancy for men and women.
Attacks on Health Care
Despite the progress of Ukrainian health care, the plight of the public health system has only intensified as the nation has become a battleground in the ongoing fight between the Russian-backed separatist forces and the Ukrainian army. In March 2014, the Russian-backed rebels began a campaign of shelling and attacks on healthcare facilities, personnel and ambulances, resulting in the destruction of several hospitals.
Since the beginning of the conflict, dozens of healthcare facilities in the Donbass region have been under constant threat, resulting in more than 30 health workers being killed and hundreds wounded. Reports of ambulances and civilian facilities being shelled, or medical personnel having their vehicles, offices and clinics looted and destroyed are now commonplace.
International Response
The international community has also taken notice of the increasingly desperate situation for health care in Ukraine. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the attacks on healthcare workers and facilities. UNICEF has also reported a surge in the number of infants being born in Ukraine with disabilities due to the ongoing crisis.
In addition, a number of international organizations, including the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, are providing assistance and funding to support the health system in Ukraine.
Effects on Health Care Providers
The attacks on health care personnel and facilities in Ukraine have had a devastating effect on the health system. According to a recent survey conducted by the International Committee of the Red Cross, almost 80 percent of the doctors in affected areas reported feeling under constant threat. Additionally, the attacks have left hospitals and healthcare providers with a significant lack of medical supplies, inadequate medical personnel and inadequate infrastructure.
The continued attacks have also put a strain on the mental health of workers. Healthcare workers in Ukraine have reported feeling isolated, scared and uncertain about the future due to the constant fear that the attacks may happen again. This has caused many health workers to leave the region, resulting in an even greater lack of personnel.
Impact on the Health of Ukrainians
The impact of the ongoing crisis on the health of Ukrainians cannot be understated. The attacks on Ukrainian healthcare workers, facilities and ambulances have left thousands of people without access to basic healthcare. This lack of access to healthcare has had a severe impact on the health of the population, with a dramatic rise in the number of vaccine-preventable illnesses such as measles.
In addition to the lack of access to health services, the population is facing a significant lack of medical supplies, food, water and other medical supplies. The lack of access to medical care and supplies has led to increased malnutrition and a rise in infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria in the region.
The conflict in Ukraine has severely hindered access to health care, creating a devastating situation for the population. The effects of the attacks on healthcare in Ukraine have been widespread and could have long-lasting repercussions throughout the region. The international community must take a stand in order to protect access to health care in the region, and to prevent future attacks on health care workers and facilities.
Ukraine has become a major target in the ongoing fight to protect access to health care, and a turning point in the global healthcare system. It is essential that the international community join together to ensure that the healthcare system in Ukraine is not destroyed and that the population is provided with access to the basic medical care and treatment it needs.
