The Ukrainian health system under unprecedented strain
The situation in Ukraine has been described as an unprecedented health crisis. On Friday, February 24, marking the first anniversary of the Russian offensive, Médecins du Monde issued a year-in-review that highlights severe hardships facing health services. The report notes that the health of Ukrainian men and women is being affected profoundly as hospitals and health centers come under repeated attack, surgeries are postponed, and essential utilities like water and electricity fail. The NGO urged the international community to act to ease suffering, prevent more civilian deaths, and ensure the continuity of vital health services.
The organization warns that after multiple assaults on health facilities, the country’s health system remains in serious danger. A shortage of medicines and medical supplies, coupled with restricted movement of people, further hinders access to care. Hospitals and health centers are striving to treat patients amid frequent power outages, heating failures, and the challenges of operating medical equipment under harsh conditions.
Delivering humanitarian aid to health centers remains difficult
According to Pepé Fernández, head of Médecins du Monde, populations already vulnerable before the war—especially the chronically ill, the disabled, the elderly, women, pregnant individuals, and those with cancer—face an even tougher situation. Getting humanitarian aid to health facilities is far from simple. Donated medicines and medical supplies encounter obstacles due to damaged roads and infrastructure, leading to gaps in availability. Safe routes for aid deliveries are consistently at risk, complicating relief efforts.
On various occasions, the organization has reported a shortage of essential medications across a wide range of conditions. Hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, acute respiratory illnesses, allergies, and other non-communicable diseases are particularly affected by supply gaps.
Mental health impact intensifies amid the crisis
The humanitarian agency reports striking figures: more than 7,000 people killed, about 11,000 injured, 17.7 million in need of humanitarian aid, nearly 6 million internally displaced, and around 8 million refugees abroad. The long-term toll on mental health is severe, with many injuries going unseen and untreated. Bashar Kailani, the general coordinator of Médecins du Monde, notes that Ukraine faces a major problem for those who have relocated two or three times within the year.
Direct healthcare provided in 2022 and ongoing mental health support
In 2022, Médecins du Monde delivered direct healthcare to 29,000 people. The organization emphasizes cultural stigmas surrounding emotional expression and identifies gaps in public mental health services. It stresses that humanitarian work is more critical than ever in offering support to the most vulnerable, helping prevent loneliness and the lasting impact of trauma. To address these needs, the NGO conducts group psychology sessions and trains nurses, midwives, social workers, and other frontline personnel in mental health support.
According to data from the organization, which has operated in Ukraine since 2015, 29,000 people received direct health care in 2022 while fifteen mobile clinics were deployed to reach the most vulnerable. Médecins du Monde supported more than 120 health facilities and over 90 temporary collection centers. In addition, medical supplies and other vital items distributed by the organization benefited 886,313 people.