STOP THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION By Sharon L. Wallenberg

“The most urgent health care need is peace,” according to World Health Organization Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

In Ukraine, almost 1,000 innocent civilians have been killed, more than 100 of them were children.  Approximately 7,000 Russian soldiers were killed.  Without medical help, those who survived, but were injured are likely to perish also.

Along with the loss of life of innocent Ukrainian civilians including children, destruction of buildings, roads and infrastructure puts people with cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV and TB, the leading causes of mortality in Ukraine, at risk.  Displacement, poor shelter, and overcrowded living conditions will increase the risk of measles, pneumonia and polio.

War has exacerbating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only one-third of the adult population is fully vaccinated.  Critical shortages of oxygen impact the ability to treat patients with COVID-19 and other conditions.

Health care needs are immense for basic illnesses, and more complex issues like cancer, renal dialysis, maternal and child health, HIV, TB, and mental health.

Refugees and those displaced in Ukraine are vulnerable, especially women and girls.  Protecting them from abuse and exploitation of all kinds must be a top priority for hosting governments and international organizations.

Although Ukraine is rightly the focus of the world’s attention, there are many other crises in which people are suffering:

In Afghanistan, more than half the population is in need, with widespread malnutrition and a surge in measles, among many other challenges.

In Ethiopia, the blockade of 6 million people in Tigray for almost 500 days has created a catastrophic food and health crisis.

In the Syrian Arab Republic, more than 12 million people are in need of health assistance, almost half of them children.

In Yemen, roughly two-thirds of the population, more than 20 million people, are estimated to be in need of health assistance.

The life-saving medicine we need right now is peace.