Published September 12,2024
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The World Health Organization (WHO) warned Thursday that focused assaults on Ukraine‘s vitality infrastructure over the previous six months have created critical well being dangers, with energy outages throughout summer season foreshadowing much more important challenges this winter, together with threats to vaccine storage and distribution.
Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, expressed grave issues following his sixth go to to Ukraine, noting that the nation is heading into its third winter amid the continued conflict after Russia’s invasion.
“As of today, WHO has confirmed close to 2,000 attacks on health in Ukraine, including hospitals, health workers, and patients,” Kluge mentioned in a press release.
“Frequent summertime power outages are already taking a toll, with danger signs for the winter. For example, by jeopardizing the storage and distribution of vaccines, if vaccine stocks cannot be used, we could see a rise in vaccine-preventable diseases.”
Kluge additional warned that the nation’s water programs, depending on uninterrupted energy, is also in danger. Disruptions might result in an increase in water and foodborne ailments. The lack of heating and air flow through the winter might contribute to a spike in respiratory infections akin to influenza and COVID-19.
THREAT OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
A vital concern for Ukraine, Kluge mentioned, is the rising menace of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), exacerbated by the continued battle.
“The threat of antimicrobial resistance is very real within the context of war and humanitarian disaster,” he emphasised, noting that improper antibiotic use among the many wounded might result in drug-resistant infections, with penalties that stretch past Ukraine.
Kluge cited troubling tales of sufferers with wounds that refuse to heal as a result of AMR. “This could have possible consequences well beyond Ukraine if drugs are rendered useless,” he mentioned.
In response, WHO and Ukrainian well being authorities are working to put in turbines and different important gear at well being services throughout the nation to mitigate energy shortages.
“Recently, we launched a heating unit at Chuhuiv Central Hospital in the Kharkiv region, near the war’s frontline, which was severely damaged in 2022,” Kluge mentioned. “This is just one of 15 such units WHO is installing in eight regions.”
To fight antimicrobial resistance, Ukraine now has 100 laboratories conducting surveillance on drug-resistant micro organism, in comparison with simply three in 2017.
MENTAL HEALTH AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
Kluge additionally highlighted the psychological well being challenges that proceed to escalate because the conflict drags on. “An estimated 10 million people are at risk of mental health problems in Ukraine, ranging from mild to severe,” he mentioned. “With the war approaching its three-year mark, these challenges are only growing, and the winter season could worsen the situation.”
Additionally, a WHO well being wants evaluation revealed that 8% of households in Ukraine at the moment would not have entry to a major healthcare facility. Access to medicines stays a vital challenge, with greater than 80% of households reporting issue acquiring medicines, and 6% saying they lack entry to important medicines altogether.
“One-third of respondents also said they don’t have enough money to buy medicines,” Kluge added.
Source: www.anews.com.tr