Within the framework of cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the World Health Organization, 20 all-terrain ambulances capable of operating even in the most damaged and hard-to-reach areas have been transferred to Ukraine to provide emergency medical needs.

The press service of the Ministry of Health writes about this.

These ambulances can reach hard-to-reach places, even where the roads are the most damaged. Thanks to them, doctors will be able to move even off-road to provide medical care where it is needed, and quickly transport victims to healthcare facilities and to safe areas.

“We offer not just medical care supplies, but also support according to your needs. Today, we are donating 20 ambulances, as well as generators and blood refrigerators to the hospital where they are needed,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, as he handed over the keys to Deputy Health Minister Irina Mikichak in Lviv. “But most importantly— we want peace to be achieved.”

“We have worked closely with the WHO team in Ukraine for a long time, long before the war, and their work in supporting our country’s healthcare system is significant. Today, thanks to the consolidation of efforts and close cooperation with WHO, we are able to help and support our national health system. And these are very effective ways to support doctors who heroically save people and provide medical assistance to the defenders of Ukraine and peaceful civilians in difficult times. I am sure that together we will provide the necessary support to the people of Ukraine and will be able to meet the needs of healthcare. We need peace!” Irina Mikichak, Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine, said.

During a three-day visit to Ukraine, Dr. Tedros visited healthcare facilities damaged during the war, interacted with tireless medical workers, providing care in the realities of wartime.

During the two months of the war, the medical infrastructure in Ukraine was significantly damaged due to continuous attacks on the healthcare system, and access to medical care in many areas was significantly disrupted. This donation of 20 ambulances will help provide life-saving care to people in Ukraine and improve the timeliness and quality of medical services provided by the national emergency medical teams.

“WHO is committed to supporting people in Ukraine with access to much-needed health services. The provision of 20 ambulances will provide life-saving assistance as the provision of medical services in Ukraine is significantly disrupted and access to medical care remains a problem for many people, said Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative and Head of the WHO Office in Ukraine. I recalled how during the days of constant shelling in their city, ambulances continued to work even during the curfew, so that people received the necessary assistance. We are inspired by the courage of Ukrainian medical workers and hope that this donation will contribute to their work.”

To date, WHO has delivered 393 metric tons of medical supplies and equipment to Ukraine. Of this amount, 167 metric tons have already reached their destination, mainly in the east, south and north of the country, where the demand is greatest.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization will consider a resolution condemning Russia because of the war unleashed by the Kremlin in Ukraine. This document may contain a decision to close a large WHO regional office in Moscow.

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