On 23 January 2023, WHO donated 26 ambulances to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to provide emergency care to patients during the war.
With the ongoing attacks on health care in Ukraine, WHO supports the health system in Ukraine during the war and provides medical care and life-saving equipment in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and other partners,” said Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine. “These ambulances have helped save lives and bring the necessary care to the people of Ukraine in the middle of the war.”
The donation includes 6 ambulances and 20 mobile ambulances, equipped with oxygen tanks, defibrillators, ventilators and other medical equipment, which will allow the transport of critically injured patients to hospitals.
From 24 February 2022, more than 30 ambulances have been donated to the Ministry of Health by WHO and its partners. More ambulances are expected to be deployed later this year.
Minister of Health Dr Viktor Liashko said, “Every day war brings difficulties in our lives and work. We have all experienced many losses and damage, but our main task remains the same – to take care of people’s health. I am very grateful to WHO for their support and all their support. Thanks to our joint efforts, the Ukrainian medical service continues to work. Today, these ambulances are starting to save the lives of Ukrainians.”
The shipment was made possible with funding from the European Union (EU). Ms Claudia Amaral, Director of EU Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine, said, “Hundreds of hospitals have been destroyed since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Together with humanitarian organizations such as the WHO and in cooperation with the Government of Ukraine, we support medical operations so that medical workers in Ukraine will continue to save lives throughout the country.”
WHO has donated more than 2000 tons of life-saving medicines to Ukraine since the start of the war. Shipments include power generators, ambulances, oxygen supplies to hospitals, supplies for the injured and emergency surgeries, and drugs to treat non-communicable diseases and more.
