WHO has never seen so many attacks against health structures as at this moment in Ukraine

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that it had never seen so many attacks against the health system as at this time in Ukraine.

“The health system has become a target (…). This begins to form part of the strategy and tactics of war. It is totally unacceptable, it is contrary to international humanitarian law,” said the WHO emergencies chief, Michael Ryan, at a press conference.

“We have never seen globally (…) so many attacks against the health system,” he said.

In the three weeks since the invasion of Ukraine by Russiastarted on February 24, there have been at least 43 attacks against the health system in Ukraine, according to WHO data.

The verified attacks — which killed 12 people and injured 34 — include 34 against hospitals and other health centers, as well as attacks on ambulances and health personnel.

A maternity in Mariúpol (south of Ukraine) was bombed last week, killing three people, including a child.