WHO Ukraine launches its annual report

WHO assistance to Ukraine throughout the past year of war has been multifaceted, encompassing health emergency response as well as health system strengthening, reforms and recovery. 

The health response to the crisis in Ukraine carries lessons for the whole humanitarian–development community, as outlined in the new annual report of the WHO Country Office in Ukraine. The resilience of the national health-care system has been outstanding, thanks to the determination of Ukraine’s health workforce, and the commitment and investment of the international community that has enabled delivery of supplies and continued support.

Going the extra mile

In 2022, WHO managed to deliver medical supplies to some of the most security-compromised and hard-to-reach parts of the country, and opened a number of new emergency field offices, hubs and warehouses to aid internally displaced people and those in need close to the frontline. WHO also supported the creation of mobile primary health-care units in 7 oblasts to ensure care provision in conflict-affected areas. 

By the end of 2022, WHO had delivered 1360 metric tonnes of medical products worth US$ 36 million. Supplies were dispatched to nearly 700 health facilities in 25 oblasts, including personal protective equipment, medicines, oxygen supplies along with supplies for trauma and emergency surgeries, power generators, ambulances, and more. 

Furthermore, over 8 million people benefitted from emergency health kits that met needs for basic care, trauma and emergency surgery, noncommunicable disease treatment and more. This vast emergency response was made possible thanks to a range of donors.  

“The war has brought significant challenges to Ukraine’s health system, disrupting access to health services and medicines for Ukrainian patients,” said Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine. “Since the first day of the war, the WHO team in Ukraine has been supporting the country in addressing its most urgent health needs, while committing unwavering support to Ukraine’s health-care workers and health-care facilities and services.” 

Long-term implications of the war

Despite the war, Ukraine has continued its health reform efforts that began in 2017. “The long-term impacts of the war will be very severe unless the systemic transformation of Ukraine’s health-care system continues to be supported and invested in, to build the system back and build it back better. WHO will continue to support the country’s health reforms, packaged under the Strategy for the Development of the Healthcare System until 2030,” explained Dr Habicht.

“WHO seeks to contribute to a strong and resilient health system, providing technical support and expert advice on Ukraine’s reform path. We supported Ukraine’s adoption of the new public health system law in 2022, along with laws and regulations on rehabilitation, tobacco control, taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages and more.” 

Dr Habicht added, “WHO also engaged professional communities, information technology specialists and civil society in the first-ever ‘Health Hackathon’, focusing on finding new solutions related to health promotion, disease prevention and the mental health of the war-affected population.”

WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) has been implemented in Ukraine since 2018, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, local and international nongovernmental organizations, and other partners. Community-based services, stress management courses, health-care worker trainings and study visits alongside several advocacy events – some attended by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and addressed by WHO’s Director-General and Regional Director for Europe – were conducted throughout the year to draw attention to the topic of mental health and the critical needs of those affected by war. 

The annual report of the WHO Country Office in Ukraine covers its operations and activities in 2022. Since the Russian Federation’s invasion in 2022, all 3 tiers of the WHO structure – the Country Office, the Regional Office and the global headquarters – have been working together with partners to address the crisis.