WHO Supports Ukrainian Healthcare System As Winter Approaches
With half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure either damaged or destroyed, and continuing attacks on health care, millions of lives remain under threat. WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge’s fourth visit to the country this year underlined WHO’s ongoing commitment to provide essential support to Ukraine in the short and long-term.
Joint winterization efforts
WHO will continue to contribute to the integration of life-saving humanitarian interventions with the ongoing health reform agenda, as was stated during the meeting with the Minister of Health of Ukraine, Viktor Liashko, and his team.
“We express our strong solidarity and admiration for efforts by the Ministry of Health to ensure health system resilience,” underlined Dr Kluge. WHO and the Ministry of Health will expand collective efforts to prepare health facilities for winter, so that essential health services remain functioning, regardless of energy shortages, and Ukrainians have access to critical and routine medical care.
In his meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, Dr Kluge also emphasized continuing WHO support to Ukraine’s health system in the lead up to winter. With millions facing the prospect of winter without heating and fuel, this assistance is essential, as the delegation saw when visiting Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro, not far from the front line. The hospital was just hours away from losing all energy, but the donation of a generator from WHO helped to avert devastating consequences for patients on life support.
“As attacks on power and heating infrastructure continue, so will our support to health facilities, because everyone has a right to health and well-being. Health care must never be a target,” said Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine.
Dr Kluge’s visit also included a meeting with the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown. Dr Kluge expressed gratitude for the strong leadership of the United Nations country team and support for WHO operations. Discussions focused on joint efforts to prepare for winter and address challenges posed by the energy crisis.
Mental health in wartime
Ukraine is facing a large-scale mental health crisis, with a quarter of the population at risk of developing a mental health condition as a result of the war. In response to this potential threat, a national mental health and psychosocial support programme has been launched. At a meeting with the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, Dr Kluge welcomed this initiative and highlighted that much has been done in the last few months by the Government of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health to strengthen the response to mental health challenges. Next steps for cooperation with WHO were discussed, such as coordinating the intersectoral response on mental health, building accessible and evidence-based mental health services, raising awareness on mental health among Ukrainian people, and sharing self-help practices and digital tools for stress management.
People with severe mental health conditions are among the most vulnerable during the war. Dr Kluge and Dr Habicht also visited a psychiatric hospital in Dnipro and handed over a vehicle to community mental health teams. This will make it easier to reach those in need of mental health care in places where they reside or elsewhere. More cars from WHO will be delivered to Dnipro in the coming weeks, so mental health support can reach communities directly.
Dr Habicht emphasized: “Mobile mental health teams are vital when millions of people in Ukraine are at risk from developing mental disorders as a consequence of the war. The delivery of these cars is one more step towards strengthening mental health services nationwide in coordination with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine”.
In addition to meetings with officials, Dr Kluge also had a chance to discuss the situation with volunteers who work in areas regained by the Government of Ukraine and along the contact line. They reported massive destruction of primary health care services as well as critical shortages of medicines and medical supplies. Dr Kluge expressed his commitment to mobilize life-saving medicines and equipment to leave no one behind. Volunteers, in their turn, agreed to join forces to boost rehabilitation and psychosocial support in regained areas, where it is urgently needed.
Reflecting on his fourth visit to Ukraine this year, Dr Kluge concluded: “This week I have witnessed first-hand the incredible work that my colleagues from WHO Ukraine, the wider UN family, and our dedicated partners are doing across the spectrum of health care. With winter intensifying and many facilities damaged or destroyed, the situation is dire. But we are here to stay and support”.