Since the start of the war with Russia, at least ten health professionals have died in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liashko.
At a joint press conference with WHO Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Kyiv, Liashko said the war has killed 10 health professionals and injured 40 others.
He claims that up to 40 hospitals have been destroyed and 500 others have been severely damaged, making it impossible to provide health services there.
The WHO chief and Ukraine’s health minister reviewed the latest developments in the continuing war and its impact on health workers.
Liashko accused Russia of using banned weaponry as well as violating the WHO principles and international agreements on warfare.
Ghebreyesus said health facilities should not be targeted amid the war and the WHO provided support for 15,000 hospitals since the beginning of the war.
He said the WHO has extended assistance to Ukrainian citizens residing in neighboring countries. He said three health facilities have come into operation to help with evacuation efforts.
At least 3,309 civilians have been killed and 3,493 others injured in Ukraine since Russia launched a war on the country on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates. The true toll is feared to be much higher.
More than 5.7 million people have fled to other countries, with some 7.7 million people internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.