Head of WHO Office in Ukraine: Number of Russian Attacks on Ukraine's Healthcare System Increased by 20% in 2025

In his recent interview, Dr. Jarno Habicht, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Ukraine, elaborated on the emerging challenges that the national healthcare system of Ukraine is facing as it moves into 2026. He emphasized the critical situation regarding medical assistance and the provision of medicines in frontline territories, noting that the number of Russian attacks on Ukraine's healthcare system surged by 20% in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Dr. Habicht stressed that despite some relief experienced after last winter, preparations for the upcoming winter must begin immediately. He highlighted the necessity of ensuring healthcare facilities are equipped with reliable energy sources, heating, and water supply, as well as medical materials. Supporting healthcare workers is vital to ensure that the population can access medical assistance even during the most challenging times. This approach is crucial for both primary healthcare and hospitals and pharmacies to maintain continuity of services.

A recent study has identified several key issues that significantly impact access to medical care. A substantial portion of respondents who needed medications reported difficulties in obtaining them, primarily due to high costs and limited availability. In frontline regions, people frequently encountered closed pharmacies, restrictions due to security situations, and financial barriers.

Dr. Habicht noted that last year, the number of attacks on medical and pharmaceutical warehouses tripled compared to the previous year, resulting in considerable damage to medicines and medical equipment. Pain relief medications, treatments for cardiovascular diseases, antibiotics, and medications for treating hypertension remain the least accessible.

In the most affected regions, 59% of respondents rated their health status as poor or very poor. Mental health is also experiencing severe and long-lasting impacts. According to the study's results, 62% of respondents reported a deterioration in their mental health over the past 12 months, representing a serious issue that requires ongoing attention.

Access to surgical assistance in Ukraine remains uneven. Among respondents needing surgical intervention, a significant portion reported difficulties in accessing care, especially in frontline areas, where 83% of those surveyed noted access issues compared to 62% in other parts of the country.

Over 6,400 patients requiring treatment for injuries, cancer care, burn treatment, rehabilitation, or prosthetics were able to receive life-saving services abroad under Ukraine's Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) program, with technical and operational support from WHO.

Access to medical care remains a significant challenge, particularly for individuals with chronic illnesses and the elderly. Damaged or inaccessible medical facilities, long distances, and ongoing security risks create serious barriers. These issues disproportionately affect the most vulnerable population groups and those requiring continuous treatment for chronic conditions. Interruptions in treatment for such patients can lead to deteriorating health and complications.

In frontline areas, over 740 healthcare facilities have been completely or partially damaged, significantly reducing access to medical care for communities living near active combat zones. Vulnerable populations in these regions face increasingly limited access to timely medical assistance, while ongoing attacks have forced many healthcare workers to flee the most affected areas. As a result, frontline territories bear the greatest burden, suffering not only from regular attacks but also from the deterioration of an already fragile healthcare system.

Healthcare workers are under immense pressure, facing excessive workloads and constant stress due to years of war. Many have lost their lives, while others have been forced to relocate to other regions. The shortage of medical personnel is a serious challenge facing Ukraine and significantly impacts the ability to provide adequate assistance to those in need.

Overcoming these challenges requires a combination of targeted humanitarian support, strengthening and continuing reforms of the national healthcare system to ensure access to medical care, as well as recovery efforts so that people living closest to the front line continue to receive essential medical services.

During my visit to the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions in February 2026, I witnessed the implementation of this comprehensive approach in practice.

Dr. Habicht also discussed the challenges faced by WHO in delivering medical supplies to frontline areas. He noted that since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, WHO has documented over 2,900 attacks on the healthcare system, resulting in the deaths of at least 239 healthcare workers and patients, with 955 injured. In 2025, there was a reported 20% increase in attacks on the healthcare system compared to the previous year.

Last year, the WHO team also came under fire while delivering trauma treatment kits and over-the-counter medications in the Kherson region as part of a UN inter-agency humanitarian convoy alongside the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Food Programme. As humanitarian workers, we face the same security risks in delivering life-saving materials as everyone else, regardless of international law.

Despite these difficulties, in 2025, a total of 1.9 million people received assistance through various medical initiatives. WHO continues to deliver aid to hard-to-reach areas such as Sviatohirsk in the Donetsk region, Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, and many other lesser-known communities along the frontline. Last year, WHO delivered 319 metric tons of medical materials to 954 healthcare facilities, taking into account all the challenges facing the healthcare system in Ukraine.