Ukraine receives 20 ambulances from WHO and German government

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has received 20 ambulances from WHO to provide emergency medical care during the war. Designed as mobile intensive care units, these vehicles will be used to provide essential care to patients who require additional life-sustaining measures during transportation to and between hospitals.

“Given the devastating impact of the war on Ukraine’s healthcare system, these 20 ambulances will enable medical transportation between hospitals across Ukraine, including the eastern and southern regions, and are equipped to provide intensive and highly specialized care for seriously injured patients,” said Dr. Gundo Weiler, Director of Country Support and Partnerships and Acting Regional Director for Emergencies at the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

“Since the beginning of the war, WHO has been supporting Ukraine by providing the necessary medical supplies and equipment to ensure the continuity of medical care and meet the urgent medical needs of people in Ukraine. Together with our health partners, we will continue to work in 2024 to meet both humanitarian and recovery needs to ensure that Ukraine’s health system remains resilient to the challenges ahead,” said Dr. Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine.

The ambulances are equipped with the necessary life support equipment, including defibrillator monitors, ventilators, medical oxygen supply equipment, infusion pumps, ECG machines, stretchers, trauma equipment, and other devices that allow providing life-saving care to patients with serious conditions during medical transportation.

“Ambulances are not just cars; they are an opportunity for medics to save lives. In the context of constant shelling, regular renewal of the emergency medical services fleet is especially important. russia has already destroyed or damaged almost 500 ambulances. I am sincerely grateful to our international partners for their understanding and comprehensive support. The 20 ambulances that the WHO is handing over to us today will soon strengthen the work of medical professionals where it is most needed. They are equipped with everything necessary to provide medical care to patients in the most severe conditions,” said Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine.

Since 24 February 2022, WHO and its partners have handed over 95 ambulances to the Ministry of Health. More are planned for the coming months.

The delivery was made possible thanks to the financial support of the German government.

“Germany has been supporting Ukraine since the first days of the russian invasion. This contribution is part of the German government’s overall support for WHO emergency programs in Ukraine and neighboring countries hosting refugees, amounting to more than EUR 30 million this year. We thank the WHO team in Ukraine for their crucial work,” said Dr. Tim Prange, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the war, WHO has delivered more than 4,000 tons of life-saving medical supplies to Ukraine. Among them: power generators, ambulances, oxygen supplies for medical facilities, materials for trauma care and emergency surgery, medicines for the treatment of non-communicable diseases, and much more.

It should be recalled that Ukraine received 7 ambulances from the Swiss Embassy.