Threatening the lives of thousands of people in Mariupol and other besieged cities of Ukraine
Representatives of the UN health authorities say it is very important that they be given immediate access to Mariupol and other areas most affected by the fighting in eastern Ukraine,” Voice of America. ”
They argue that almost all health facilities and hospitals in such areas are either damaged or destroyed
WHO calls for access to affected areas to assess the needs of the health care system. and the provision of vital medical services to the sick and wounded. WHO spokesman Bhan Bhatnagar, who is currently in Lviv, said the WHO had not yet been able to gain access to medical care in Mariupol. He also admitted that he had no information about the state of health of the population in the regions blocked by the Russian occupiers.
Bhatnagar said that the WHO is directing the help needed in Mariupol, closer to the city. But he added that it was very important that safe access be organized as soon as possible.
“We need a cessation of hostilities for at least two days to deliver vital supplies and assess health needs. “I am,” he said. – We are waiting for the worst. The health care system is destroyed and this has all sorts of consequences. There are wounded who need help. “
Bhatnagar noted that there are also people with chronic diseases and other medical needs who do not have access to vital medicines. He said the results of a new WHO survey of thousands of households across Ukraine show the devastating effects of the war on their access to health care.
“In two out of five households, at least one family member suffers from chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease,” he said. – One in three of them has difficulty accessing medical care due to their chronic diseases. Our survey also shows that war affects the behavior of people seeking medical care: less than a third of households say they have been able to seek medical care. ”Bhatnagar added that 39% of respondents say the situation is security prevents them from seeking medical care, while 27% say there are no medical services in their area.
WHO has confirmed 162 attacks on medical facilities and staff that have killed at least 73 people. p>
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Mariupol was subjected to ruthless bombardment and shelling by Russian troops for two months. The city is almost wiped out. Tens of thousands of people live in underground shelters with limited supplies of food, water and medicine.
