Mental health of health workers, citizens also in focus
Ukraine has been battling the invasion by Russia for six months now, and it has taken a massive toll on the country’s health systems.
The government, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), has started focused training of health workers to deal with medical challenges and emergencies ahead of the harsh winter months.
WHO said in a statement:
So far this year, WHO has helped train more than 9,000 health-care workers on a range of issues including trauma surgery, mass casualties, chemical exposure, epidemiology and laboratory diagnostics.
Health professionals and the general distressed population of the war-torn areas are also being made aware of techniques to manage stress and safeguard mental health, the United Nations agency said.
More than 12,000 psychosocial health consultations have been held since the start of the war, WHO mentioned in the statement.
There is usually a spike in cases of respiratory diseases in Ukraine during winter and the COVID-19 pandemic heightens this risk, according to the global health agency. Vaccination efforts have thus been ramped up, along with treatment for non-communicable diseases.
WHO has helped deliver over 1,300 metric tonnes of medical supplies to the country, it said. “These include power generators, ambulances and oxygen supplies for medical facilities; supplies for trauma and emergency surgeries; and medicines to help treat NCDs).”
“We’re already seeing severe challenges and shortages in many areas, with rising inequalities in access to health and other essentials, impacting, as always, the most vulnerable — women, children and the elderly,” said Jarno Habicht, WHO representative in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s health system has been resilient against all odds, the UN health body acknowledged, and the humanitarian crisis needs to end immediately.
It is, however, more important to focus on tackling the present challenges, even as attempts to restore peace in the region are being made, Habicht noted.
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