Urgent Warning: W.H.O. Data Predicts Surge in Devastating Attacks on Ukrainian Medical Sites in 2024

A Russian missile strike on Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital on Monday underscored the rising attacks on medical facilities, vehicles, and workers this year. This incident, at Kyiv’s Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, revealed the grim statistics: the W.H.O had documented 18 deaths and 81 injuries from over 175 health care attacks in Ukraine in the first half of 2024. The previous year recorded 22 deaths and 117 injuries from 350 such attacks.

Monday’s attack killed at least one doctor, another adult, and injured 10 others, including seven children. In total, the barrage across Ukraine claimed 38 lives, with 27 in Kyiv alone. Such assaults on civilian hospitals violate Article 18 of the Geneva Convention, which protects health care workers under Article 20. Despite Russia’s Ministry of Defense denying intentional civilian target strikes, a verified video showed a missile hitting the hospital.

Christian De Vos of Physicians for Human Rights emphasized that international humanitarian law shields hospitals and civilians seeking care. Yet, globally, attacks on health infrastructure are increasing. Christopher Stokes from Doctors Without Borders highlighted the challenges, recalling the abandonment of an emergency department in Kherson after repeated bombings. Hospitals attempt precautions, but safety remains elusive for many patients.

Uliana Poltavets from Physicians for Human Rights, who heard the blast in Kyiv, noted this violence pattern since the war’s onset in February 2022. The conflict started with an assault on a maternity home in Mariupol and, three years on, continues to affect children heavily.

Original Story https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/08/world/europe/ukraine-hospitals-russian-strikes.html
Category : Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022),Hospitals,Civilian Casualties,Deaths (Fatalities),Ukraine,Kyiv (Ukraine),World Health Organization
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