On World Health Day, UNFPA Ukraine focuses on this year's theme, 'My health, my right'. The right to health is under increasing threat globally. Diseases, natural disasters, and conflicts are causing widespread harm, including death, pain, hunger, and psychological distress. This right to health is fundamental, not optional, for the well-being of all communities and individuals.
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has profoundly impacted all our communities. Continuous strikes have led to the destruction of homes, widespread displacement, worsened challenges for vulnerable groups, and strained access to health services. A particularly alarming trend is the increase in strikes on healthcare facilities, including maternity wards. According to the WHO Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA) in Ukraine, ambulance workers and health transport personnel face a risk of injury and death three times higher than other healthcare service workers.
Since the invasion the WHO has verified 1,701 attacks on healthcare in Ukraine, resulting in 128 deaths and 288 injuries among medical personnel and patients. These attacks significantly hinder the delivery of healthcare services. Particularly for women in rural areas or near the frontlines, access to medical care is severely restricted.
Critical to the right to health is the access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. SRH is a vital aspect of overall health, crucial for women's well-being and empowerment. It encompasses not only care in pregnancy and childbirth but also access to contraceptives and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. In conflict-affected areas, the disruption of these services can have profound and lasting effects on individuals and communities.
In response, UNFPA in Ukraine has mobilized 28 mobile gynecological teams to bridge the gap in medical services. These teams reach even the most hard-to-reach areas of the country to provide critical medical assistance to over 178,000 residents, yet the need is still great.
As we observe World Health Day, we must renew our dedication to protecting and promoting the right to health for everyone, particularly those in the most vulnerable situations. Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director, emphasized on World Health Day, "Let us champion sexual and reproductive health and rights for all as the path to a sustainable future where everyone can realize their potential." UNFPA remains committed to this vision, striving to achieve a world where health services are accessible to all.
-Mr. Massimo Diana, UNFPA Representative in Ukraine
