Report
The escalation of the war in Ukraine in February 2022 has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, resulting in widespread destruction of infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, and limiting access to essential services. Millions, especially children, have been exposed to trauma, impacting their health, well-being, and education.
The healthcare system has been under immense strain, with bombings damaging health facilities and disrupting services. As per the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022 till September 2024, over 100 healthcare workers have been killed due to Russian shelling. A total of 1,673 medical facilities were damaged, and another 223 were destroyed. Moreover, 226 ambulances were damaged, 263 destroyed, and 125 seized. The attacks have severely disrupted access to health services, particularly for those near the frontlines, leading to increased mortality and injuries among both medical personnel and patients. Routine preventative care was largely abandoned, and new healthcare needs emerged, including a greater demand for mental health support services, rehabilitation, and assistance for survivors of gender-based violence. Despite these challenges, the Ukrainian government quickly moved to ensure that health services, particularly primary care, remained operational.
Healthcare workers have gone beyond their traditional duties, providing emergency care, sexual and reproductive care and mental health support to ensure continuity of care. However, the war has made them a vulnerable group, with heightened stress, long working hours, and shortages of essential supplies. Despite international financial support, funding gaps persist. Medical workers are also facing "moral injury" as they make difficult decisions about resource allocation, all with limited training and support.
The simultaneous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and war has intensified the mental health crisis among both the general population and the health workforce. The WHO estimates that nearly 10 million individuals in Ukraine may suffer from mental health disorders as a result of the war. Meanwhile, medical workers grapple with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges as they struggle to meet rising demands. While psychosocial support services are crucial, Ukraine's mental healthcare system is constrained by limited funding, workforce shortages, and persistent stigma.
