Hospitals are bombing - but medicine lives. How Ukrainian Health is overwhelmed by the horrors of war
And with the support of his own business, a physiotherapist and his mother, he slowly, but purposefully passed the hospital corridor with a decisive face and eyes directed in the floor. Witnessing this scene, at the same time moving and inspiring, I was once again surprised by the stability of the Ukrainian health care system, which was injured by the war, but still standing on my feet.
And today, when we have overcome the two -year mark of this conflict, which seems endless, I continue to amaze how far the country has advanced - despite all the difficulties - in the desire to achieve health for everyone. By February 24, 2022, Ukraine launched ambitious health care reforms - the most important requirement of the EU accession process. But when the war began, critically important infrastructure across the country was destroyed. Hospitals, ambulances, generators, pharmacies . . .
It was difficult if it was possible to provide medical services on or near the front lines. And the mass internal movement only increased the crisis. However, recovering from the initial shock, the health care system of Ukraine began to recover. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners have delivered essentials, including generators, ambulances, emergency rooms, traumatological kits and medicines, and all this was generously funded by a number of state and private donors.
The government was determined not only to restore the health care system, but also to make it better. And the reform was restored. Nowadays, there is a significant national mental health program in Ukraine, supported by Lady Elena Zelenskaya and is expanding rapidly. This is extremely important because there are currently about 10 million people in Ukraine who are at risk or live with mental disorders, and almost 4 million people have moderate symptoms.
Physical rehabilitation services are also strengthened. Digital health care technologies provide wider access to diagnostics and consultations for those who live near the front line, as well as in returned territories, in particular for the elderly and people with chronic diseases. Currently, the country is operating parks specially equipped buses, loaded with basic mumps, measles and rubella, even from the Covid-19, getting to those to whom the hardest to get.
And that is noteworthy, in 2023, Ukraine managed to stop the outbreak of polyvirus, which was originally discovered in October 2021, which is a commendable milestone in the face of the war. But we also need to admit that the ecosystem of health care of Ukraine still faces problems in several areas.
Today, WHO has confirmed more than 1,500 attacks on medical institutions, infrastructure or staff - on average two a day from the beginning of the war - and new hit in recent weeks have completed this number in recent weeks. The number of internally displaced persons is currently estimated at 3. 5 million people; More than 6 million refugees have been registered, mostly in neighboring countries; And nearly 8 million people need medical assistance in Ukraine -controlled territory.
Currently, two -thirds of those who seek help are facing obstacles that are primarily related to costs, time and transportation. In areas close to the front line, 22 percent of families postpone medical care, and 7 percent are difficult to acquire basic drugs. Access to a family doctor is also significantly limited in these regions, where financial constraints are more acute and almost 25 percent cannot afford medicines, and 51 percent - cannot pay for medical services.
Moreover, non-communicable diseases (NEZ), such as cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer, do not disappear simply in the conflict zone. On the contrary, in Ukraine NEZ is the cause of 84 percent of all deaths, which is often exacerbated by factors caused by war. Ukraine also continues to feel one of the highest rates of burden of HIV, tuberculosis and maternal mortality in the WHO European region.
The risk of infectious diseases and outbreaks of diseases transmitted through food and water remains constant. This also applies to the unprecedented threat of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergency. Of course, all this is huge obstacles. But when it comes to future health care in Ukraine, I'm an optimist. Because what I saw with my own eyes during many visits to Ukraine is a real affection.
And so I tell everyone-devoted to my business of the Government of Ukraine, devoted to health workers, who work 24 hours a day, exhausted by a double blow of Covid-19 and war, but still a strong spirit-all of them I say: WHO will support: WHO will support them You, in spite of everything.
The devoted neighbors of Ukraine who have accepted refugees - mostly women, children and the elderly - I say: WHO Thanks to you for demonstrating our common humanity, for demonstrating that health is human right. I say the country's loyal donors - from the EU to organizations in the US, in the Middle East and Asia: WHO is grateful for your constant solidarity. But your generous health care in Ukraine should remain adamant.
At this decisive stage, after the country so carefully sought to achieve health for all, the cessation of effort will blow up, and probably even back all the successes achieved in the last two years. We are obliged to do everything we can, before the stable people of Ukraine, such as the little boy I met in Kiev, as well as before the wonderful health care system that serves it to guarantee: they can count on us Now and always.