During more than a year of war, russia destroyed and damaged medical institutions at a total cost of USD 2.5 billion – World Bank study

Since the first day of the war, russia has been attacking medical infrastructure almost daily. According to the World Bank, the enemy has already destroyed medical institutions in Ukraine at a total cost of USD 2.5 billion. At least 978 medical institutions were destroyed or damaged by rockets and shells of the invaders. 650 ambulances and at least 596 pharmacies were also damaged or destroyed. Such data are presented in the World Bank report “Rapid Assessment of Harm and Needs in Ukraine”, presented at the online meeting of the sectoral working group “Healthcare” of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine with the participation of international partners.

Russia caused the most damage to medical infrastructure in four oblasts: in the Donetsk oblast, losses are estimated at USD 768 million, in the Kharkiv oblast – at USD 618 million, in the Chernihiv oblast – at USD 259 million, in the Luhansk oblast – at least USD 188 million.

According to the Minister of Health, the Ministry of Health team is consolidating efforts with international partners to comprehensively assess the losses of the medical system from the russian invasion. 

“The 13 most difficult months in the history of our country are over. Months when terrorist russia hit our hospitals, outpatient clinics and pharmacies day after day. Now it is extremely important for us to clearly understand what financial losses we have, to see these data in the context of oblasts. This will allow us to prioritize resources for recovery where they will be most effective now and will allow us to restore patients’ access to medical care as much as possible,” Viktor Liashko said. 

In 2023 alone, Ukraine will need at least USD 640 million to restore access to medical care and reconstruct medical institutions. 

In general, the need to restore the health care system as a result of the war now amounts to USD 16.4 billion.