Ukraine thanks international partners for supporting its healthcare system amid the war
The 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Vasyl Strilka, Deputy Minister of Health for European Integration.
During the event, the Ukrainian side drew the international community’s attention to the impact of Russia’s full-scale aggression on the healthcare system and expressed its gratitude to partner countries for their continued support for Ukraine.
“Unable to achieve its objectives on the battlefield, Russia continues to terrorise civilians by attacking hospitals, healthcare infrastructure and warehouses storing medicines. The scale of these attacks is staggering: since the start of the full-scale invasion, more than 2,700 healthcare facilities in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed. This is why support from international partners is so important today. Thanks to this assistance, we can ensure the uninterrupted operation of hospitals, provide patients with the treatment they need and continue saving lives even in the most challenging conditions.”
The scale of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s healthcare system remains significant. According to the WHO, more than 3,000 attacks on Ukraine’s healthcare system have been verified since the start of the full-scale invasion. Russian forces continue to strike hospitals, pharmaceutical facilities and medicine warehouses, making it harder for Ukrainians to access the treatment they need.
As of 1 November 2026, 2,708 facilities belonging to 853 healthcare institutions in Ukraine had been damaged or destroyed. Of these, 340 facilities had been completely destroyed. According to the fifth joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA5) conducted by the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank, the European Commission and the United Nations, USD 23.6 billion will be needed to restore Ukraine’s healthcare system over the period 2026–2035. The total recovery and reconstruction needs across all sectors in Ukraine are estimated at USD 587.7 billion.
At the same time, Ukraine expressed its appreciation for the comprehensive and continued support of international partners, who are helping the Ukrainian healthcare system withstand the consequences of Russia’s aggression. Thanks to this assistance, hospitals receive essential equipment, generators and medicines, while Ukrainian patients in need of specialised treatment have the opportunity to receive it abroad.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism plays an important role in this cooperation, enabling European countries to coordinate the provision of essential assistance to Ukraine. In particular, partners supply generators to ensure the uninterrupted operation of hospitals, medical equipment and medicines, and help organise international medical evacuations. Through this mechanism, more than 5,000 Ukrainian patients have already been evacuated for treatment at hospitals in European countries.
This support is particularly important amid ongoing Russian attacks. While Russia seeks to destroy critical infrastructure and deprive Ukrainians of access to healthcare services, international partners are helping keep hospitals operational, restore essential resources and save patients’ lives.
In addition to participating in the session, the Ukrainian delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with international partners, discussing specific areas of further assistance to Ukraine and reaching practical agreements.
- Finland: The parties agreed to organise consultations between relevant experts on the forensic identification of deceased persons and develop specific proposals for further cooperation. The Finnish side also expressed its readiness to explore opportunities to receive patients with severe burns and cooperate on training emergency medical teams to transport critically ill patients over long distances.
- Sweden: Sweden reaffirmed its readiness to receive more Ukrainian patients with severe burns through the international medical evacuation mechanism (MEDEVAC). The parties also agreed to establish direct contacts between forensic medicine experts.
Separately, discussions with the leadership of the WHO Regional Office for Europe focused on continuing cooperation in rehabilitation, medical education, the development of the blood service and ensuring access to medicines.
Ukraine highly values the support of partner countries and the WHO, which continue to assist the Ukrainian healthcare system amid the full-scale war. This sustained international cooperation is one of the key factors underpinning the resilience of the healthcare system, helping ensure the uninterrupted operation of hospitals, access to essential treatment and care for patients even amid ongoing Russian attacks.
At the same time, Ukraine continues to draw the international community’s attention to Russia’s systematic attacks on healthcare infrastructure and stresses the need to hold the aggressor state accountable for these crimes.