WHO delivers 20 ambulances to Ukraine
pharmafile | May 10, 2022 | News story | Manufacturing and Production |
In efforts to support emergency health needs in Ukraine, WHO have given 20 all-terrain ambulances able to function in even the most damaged and inaccessible areas to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
“We bring not just supplies but support based on your needs. Today we are handing to you 20 ambulances, along with generators and blood refrigerators to hospitals wherever they are needed.” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General handing over the keys to the Deputy Minister of Health Iryna Mykychak in Lviv, Ukraine. “But the most important thing we want to see delivered is peace.”
Two months into the war, the medical infrastructure in Ukraine has been significantly damaged due to the continuous attacks on healthcare, and access to health care in many areas has been severely impacted. The donation of 20 ambulances aims to bring vital lifesaving care to those living in Ukraine, and to improve the national emergency medical teams’ timelines, and quality of health services.
“These ambulances can drive to the most important places available, even where the roads have been most damaged” said Deputy Minister Mykychak as she looked over the new addition to the emergency relief team’s fleet. “We are infinitely grateful to all our international partners for such important and significant support of Ukraine. We worked closely with the WHO team in Ukraine for a long time, long before the war in health care reform in Ukraine. I am confident that together we will provide necessary support people of Ukraine and address health needs. We need peace.”
WHO has so far delivered 393 metric tonnes of emergency and medical supplies and equipment to Ukraine. Of that amount, 167 metric tonnes have reached their intended destinations, mostly in the east, south, and north of the country, where the need is greatest.
Ana Ovey
