New Health Crises Emerge in Ukraine as Fighting Continues

March 10, 2022 — Hypothermia, frostbite, respiratory illnesses, psychological well being points, and a scarcity of remedy for coronary heart illness and most cancers are the largest well being issues in the mean time for the individuals of Ukraine, the World Health Organization says.

The WHO is also monitoring for infectious illness outbreaks, that are seemingly inside Ukraine the place, out of necessity, persons are huddled in subway stations, basements, and different shelters.

There “without a doubt” will likely be an increase in COVID-19 within the inhabitants in Ukraine, stated Michael Ryan, MD, government director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program. A disruption of testing and vaccination, a scarcity of entry to remedy, and vaccination charges round 35% earlier than the battle elevate the chance.

It’s not simply COVID-19. The WHO is also monitoring Ukraine as finest it may for any rise in measles, vaccine-derived polio, and cholera.

“The actuality is that the circumstances we see in Ukraine are the worst potential substances for the amplification or unfold of infectious illness,” Ryan stated throughout a Wednesday media briefing on Ukraine, COVID-19, and different world well being points.

Refugees Carry Personal Items, Not Diseases

If individuals in neighboring nations worry that refugees will set off outbreaks of infectious illnesses, they’re mistaken, Ryan stated.

“Let’s be very cautious with our rhetoric,” he stated. “This always arises that in some way, that people fleeing the horrors of war are going to bring stuff with them. But they’re not.”

The refugees are not expected to drive up COVID-19 numbers in Europe, for example.

“Europe has plenty of COVID as it stands. The Ukrainian refugees are not going to change the dial on that,” Ryan said.

As an important line of defense, neighboring countries are offering health screenings, vaccinations, mental health support, and other health care at points of entry. Health officials are also focusing on the needs of children and women, who have been most of the 2 million refugees so far, WHO leaders said.

Even more vulnerable than the refugees may be the people forced to stay behind. People unable to evacuate due to the conflict, including the elderly and people with chronic diseases who cannot get to their medications or regular treatments, remain at high risk, the WHO stated.

Health Care Under Attack

The WHO has verified 18 attacks on health settings in Ukraine, including hospitals, clinics, and ambulances. These resulted in 10 deaths and 16 injuries among health care workers.

Reports of hospitals being bombed as recently as Thursday include a children’s and maternity hospital in Mariupol.

There are about 1,000 health facilities of different sizes — hospitals, clinics, and other health care locations — either on the frontlines or within 10 kilometers of the frontlines.

Getting hospitals needed supplies is essential, but hospitals also need power, clean water, and fuel for generators, Ryan said.

“All of this infrastructure and engineering support is needed to keep your average hospital going in a normal situation. In the middle of a shooting war, it’s almost impossible,” he stated.

“So, in impact, the well being system is turning into engulfed on this battle, engulfed on this disaster,” Ryan stated. “We’ve seen now that some hospitals are being deserted by the authorities as a result of they merely can’t operate, and there is an try to maneuver hospital tools and transfer docs and nurses round.”

Emergency medical groups are wanted to alleviate overworked, exhausted docs, nurses, and different suppliers.

“They’re not getting day without work, they don’t seem to be going residence within the night or on weekends, they don’t seem to be occurring picnics,” Ryan stated.

These employees members are working 24/7, he stated. Therefore, “once we speak about assaults on well being care, we’re not simply speaking about assaults on infrastructure. This can also be … an assault on these well being care employees, as a result of they can not preserve this effort for very lengthy.”

“We are in awe and impressed by their efforts,” Ryan stated. “But it can’t proceed without end.”

Fears About Radiation Exposure

A reporter requested if it is time for individuals in Ukraine to refill on iodine, given the specter of radiation publicity from the delicate standing of nuclear reactors.

The WHO is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Emergency Preparedness and Response community.

“We’ve labored on guaranteeing and monitoring for and any assaults or any harm to chemical installations in addition to nuclear installations,” Ryan stated. He added that nations have had preparedness plans in place because the Chernobyl accident in 1986.

“I’m certain they’re these plans once more,” he stated.

Ryan doesn’t assume it is time for individuals to stockpile iodine for cover towards radiation illness. But governments are “effectively suggested to make sure that the preparedness plans and their provide chains are in place ought to such a horrific eventuality happen.”

No Health Without Peace

Despite the WHO’s efforts on a number of fronts, “the one actual state of affairs to the answer is peace. WHO continues to name on the Russian Federation to decide to a peaceable decision to this disaster,” stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD.

The well being outlook in Ukraine will solely worsen “except we have now a cease-fire,” Ryan agreed. “This is placing bandages on mortal wounds proper now.”