Mar 29, 2022 07:34 PM
https://www.popsci.com/science/russia-at...ealthcare/
INTRO: The World Health Organization has verified 74 attacks on healthcare facilities and workers since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February. The organization is in the process of verifying even more of these attacks.
Russia’s assault on Ukraine is creating a public health crisis. The violence prevents patients from accessing care, and Russia has targeted hospitals and clinics at a growing rate.
“We are concerned that this number is increasing daily,” the head of WHO’s office in Ukraine, Jarno Habicht, told the BBC. “Health facilities should be safe places for both doctors and nurses, but also patients to turn to for treatment. This should not happen.”
The facilities that have managed to remain operational are at risk of running short of supplies. Per the Geneva Convention, “the sick and wounded have a right to be cared for, regardless of whose side they are on,” and “medical workers, medical vehicles and hospitals dedicated to humanitarian work cannot be attacked.” Under these terms, these attacks on healthcare could be classified as war crimes.
The BBC reported that attacks on medical facilities may be becoming part of modern warfare strategy, regardless of the Geneva Conventions rules: “We’ve never seen globally… this rate of attacks on healthcare,” said WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan. “This crisis is reaching a point where the health system in Ukraine is teetering on the brink.”
Russia’s attacks have disrupted services and supplies, leaving the population vulnerable to a number of health concerns... (MORE - details)
INTRO: The World Health Organization has verified 74 attacks on healthcare facilities and workers since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February. The organization is in the process of verifying even more of these attacks.
Russia’s assault on Ukraine is creating a public health crisis. The violence prevents patients from accessing care, and Russia has targeted hospitals and clinics at a growing rate.
“We are concerned that this number is increasing daily,” the head of WHO’s office in Ukraine, Jarno Habicht, told the BBC. “Health facilities should be safe places for both doctors and nurses, but also patients to turn to for treatment. This should not happen.”
The facilities that have managed to remain operational are at risk of running short of supplies. Per the Geneva Convention, “the sick and wounded have a right to be cared for, regardless of whose side they are on,” and “medical workers, medical vehicles and hospitals dedicated to humanitarian work cannot be attacked.” Under these terms, these attacks on healthcare could be classified as war crimes.
The BBC reported that attacks on medical facilities may be becoming part of modern warfare strategy, regardless of the Geneva Conventions rules: “We’ve never seen globally… this rate of attacks on healthcare,” said WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan. “This crisis is reaching a point where the health system in Ukraine is teetering on the brink.”
Russia’s attacks have disrupted services and supplies, leaving the population vulnerable to a number of health concerns... (MORE - details)